Fayetteville Claims Walk-Off Win Over Catawba Valley
Published on June 2, 2011 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - For the third time in as many games, the Fayetteville SwampDogs trailed in their final at-bat. This time, they used a little help from the opponent to mount their third consecutive comeback victory.
A Shawn Pleffner single sandwiched in between two throwing errors from the Catawba Valley Stars defense helped the SwampDogs to a 5-4 win Thursday night in an exhibition game at J.P. Riddle Stadium. The SwampDogs improved to 3-0 on the season.
Fayetteville came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-3, but leadoff hitter Joe Vaskas reached base when Stars' first baseman Jim Riordon fielded the Vaskas grounder and threw high of pitcher Davis Henderson covering first. Vaskas reached second on the error, and Henderson suffered a dislocated thumb on the play and was forced to leave the game.
Jordan Lafone (0-1) came on to face Pleffner, who singled to right. Vaskas scored on the play, with Pleffner advancing to second on the throw to the plate. But Stars' catcher Carlos Leal's attempt to throw Pleffner out at second sailed into deep centerfield, and Pleffner circled the bases with the winning run.
Cody Davis, who started the game in centerfield for the SwampDogs, pitched the final two innings and retired all six batters he faced to earn his first win of the year.
It's the first time this year the SwampDogs have led in a game prior to their final at-bat. Catawba Valley took an early 2-0 lead, but Fayetteville responded with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth for a 3-2 advantage. But Catawba Valley got two unearned runs home in the seventh after a J.J. Williams error at shortstop to regain the lead.
Lefthander Brandon Browne made his first start of the year for the SwampDogs, but was on a pitch count and left after just two innings. Rusty White from nearby Methodist University made his first appearance as a SwampDog as well, surrendering just a solo homerun to Leal in three innings pitched.
Bryce Murphy started for Catawba Valley, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three in six innings. Murphy also hit three SwampDogs, including Williams twice.
The SwampDogs now return to CPL play for the remainder of the year, beginning Friday night with a trip to Thomasville. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The SwampDogs next home game will be Saturday night against Morehead City, with first pitch also scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Following that game will be the SwampDogs first fireworks night of the season.
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 2, 2011
- HiToms Down Gastonia 9-4 - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- Fayetteville Claims Walk-Off Win Over Catawba Valley - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Copperheads Slither Past Tobs - Wilson Tobs
- Owls Slip Again Against Martinsville, 7-4 - Forest City Owls
- SwampDogs Set to Host Sandhills Senior High School Showcase - Fayetteville SwampDogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
