Forest City Rallies to Down Martinsville
July 2, 2012 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
Forest City, NC- Forest City's start was less than ideal, but the finish was picture perfect. The Owls rallied from a five-run deficit to beat the Martinsville Mustangs 7-5 on Monday night in front of a sold-out crowd at McNair Field. The five-run gap was the biggest one the Owls have made up this season.
Ryan Welke put the Owls ahead for good with a two-out RBI double off the wall in left field off Zack Hagaman. Forest City tacked on the insurance run three batters later on a bases loaded single by Stephen Tarkenton. Welke and Will Chandler each finished with 2 RBI to lead the Owls.
Martinsville rocked Owls' starter Ryan Hander early, getting to the righty for five runs on six hits over just three innings, Hander's shortest start of the year. The Mustangs' first four batters reached in the 1st inning, plating two runs for an early 2-0 lead. Martinsville added three more on a sac fly and a two-run double by Adam Pendleton in the 3rd inning to make it 5-0. Of the five runs scored, only three were earned as a couple of errors helped prolong the inning.
Forest City's comeback started in the bottom half of the 3rd. Bryan Aanderud and Welke singled to start the inning. After a lineout, Gunnar Heidt grounded into what should have been an inning-ending double play, but the throw to first was wide, allowing Aanderud to score the first run for the Owls. The comeback reached a fever pitch in the 4th inning when the Owls racked up five hits, four of them doubles, to score three runs and cut Martinsville's lead to one.
Nate Chong completed the comeback with an RBI base hit in the bottom of the 7th inning, tying the game at five. Jason Driver picked up two outs in the 8th inning to earn his first win of the season. Jake Padgett worked around a couple of walks in the 9th for his fourth save.
Forest City takes to the road for the next two games. The Owls are in Gastonia tomorrow with a July 4th game in Thomasville the following night. The next home game will be a Thirsty Thursday game against the Hi-Toms. Call 828-245-0000 to order tickets or stop by the ticket booth at McNair Field. If you can't make it in person, you can listen to the action live via WebPass through the Coastal Plain League website at www.coastalplain.com.
The Forest City Owls are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 52 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (@cpleague).
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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 2, 2012
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