Five Run Ninth Leads to 7-6 Walk off Win (7/12/12)
Published on July 12, 2012 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
Wilmington, N.C. - For the first time this season, the Wilmington Sharks (5-3, 21-14) completed a ninth inning comeback. It came at the hands of the Morehead City Marlins (2-8, 12-25), as the hosts scored five times in the ninth inning to walk off with a 7-6 victory.
Though the excitement started early, it was the final frame that was the clear highlight. Six hits, a fielder's choice and a defensive error by the Marlins allowed Wilmington to put five runners across the plate. Two singles and a double by Zach Stephens, Connor Mitchell and Jeff May to start the inning gave the Sharks a breath of hope with one run home plus runners on second and third with nobody out in a 6-3 game. An error allowing Alex Freedman to reach scored the second run and put runners on the corners.
Grayson Atwood hit a ground ball that had potential for a double play but was called a single when the third baseman hesitated on his throw to second. That loaded the bases for a Cole McInturff single that brought in two more runs to tie the game. By the time Lloyd Enzor came up with two outs, McInturff represented the winning run on second base and was brought home with a single to left field.
Wilmington had gotten on the board first in the opening frame, as Casey Goss walked and scored. He also singled, advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches, then scored in the third to tie the game at two after the Marlins took a 2-1 lead in the top of that inning.
A four run sixth inning gave the visitors a 6-2 lead. Two of those runs were charged to Nick Price, who allowed his only two batters faced in the frame to reach. The second came on a play that was argued by both Price and head coach Ryan McCleney. After a brief argument, a conference on the mound resulted in the end of Price's night. On his way off the field, he was sent to the showers rather than the dugout by home plate umpire Reid Joyner.
Price's final line shows that he allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits and six walks with five strikeouts before giving way to Aaron Hoover. The James Madison lefty finished the game and was credited with the win after surrendering two runs of his own on three hits with four strikeouts. In all seven of Price's starts this season, the Sharks have come out victorious despite the hurler only being credited with one decision.
In the final bit of excitement at Buck Hardee Field, Morehead City reliever Evan Zerff warmed up prior to the bottom of the seventh but had not been listed on the official lineup card and was therefore ineligible to play. In an argument over the matter, Marlins head coach Brian McRae was thrown out of the game.
The Sharks play a doubleheader at Fayetteville on Friday, then start a four game home stand on Saturday. For more on the Sharks, visit wilmingtonsharks.com, add Sharky Sharks on Facebook and follow @ILMSharks on Twitter.
Coastal Plain League Stories from July 12, 2012
- Five Run Ninth Leads to 7-6 Walk off Win (7/12/12) - Wilmington Sharks
- Offensive Explosion Powers Tobs - Wilson Tobs
- Owls Blank the Blowfish to End Losing Streak - Forest City Owls
- Blowfish Fall to Owls; Return Home Friday - Lexington County Blowfish
- Steamers Shut-out in Peninsula - Edenton Steamers
- Dogs at Redwolves Postponed - Fayetteville SwampDogs
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