Former Marlin Sparks Fayetteville Past Morehead City, 6-5
July 29, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - They make movies about this kind of stuff.
A player starts the season on one team, but is eventually told there's no spot on the roster and is released. He joins another squad and, in a big spot, delivers a crucial play to lead his current team past his former one, just the way Hollywood scripted it.
On Friday night, Hollywood came to Fayetteville.
Former Morehead City Marlin Andrew Alford delivered the game-tying hit in the bottom of the ninth, then scored the winning run on a single from Joe Vaskas to complete the Fayetteville SwampDogs 6-5 comeback victory over the Marlins at J.P. Riddle Stadium. The win moved Fayetteville (31-20, 14-9) two games ahead of Forest City in the race for the number two overall seed in the Petitt Cup Playoffs.
Morehead City (26-26, 12-12) never trailed until the end, scoring two runs in the top of the ninth off SwampDogs reliever Cory Kent (6-1) to take a 5-3 lead. But Jim Foster hit pinch hitter Brian Yeung to lead off the bottom of the ninth and was replaced by Chase Wellbrock (4-2).
Wellbrock, typically a starter but looking for his second save of the season against the SwampDogs, surrendered a single to Joe Ford, and Yeung advanced to third. Centerfielder Jake Luce made an ill-advised attempt to throw out Yeung, allowing Ford to take second on the throw. Cody Hudson then grounded out to first, scoring Yeung and moving Ford to third.
That set the stage for Alford. The sophomore from Brunswick C.C., who will be heading to UNC Pembroke in the fall, swung at the first pitch at smacked a one-hopper over third base to plate Ford and tie the game.
The SwampDogs then caught another break as John Hogan lined out to second baseman Corey Thompson, but his attempt to double-off Alford sailed wide of the bag, allowing Alford to advance to second. Joe Vaskas then drove a line drive into leftfield, scoring Alford ahead of the throw from Grant Clyde and sending the SwampDogs - and the fans in the seats - into a frenzy.
Kent's sixth win of the season came despite allowing two runs in the top of the ninth on a double from Clyde and a sac fly from former SwampDog Jake Carlson. He's now tied for second in the league in wins, one behind teammate Derek Brooks.
The SwampDogs were held scoreless until the sixth inning, when Sal Giardina hit a two-run single to break the ice against Dario Santangelo, the Marlins starter. Santangelo finished with three runs allowed in 6.1 innings, giving up five hits and walking five in the no-decision.
Starter Brandon Browne threw seven solid innings for Fayetteville, allowing just three runs on five hits and only one walk. He struck out four, but did surrender a line-drive homerun to player-of-the-year candidate Chase McDonald - his 13th homer of the season - and did not factor in the decision.
The SwampDogs remain at home for Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday against Forest City, with prizes and giveaways all game long and the final spectacular fireworks show to follow the game. Gates open at 6 p.m., with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 29, 2011
- Tobs Fall To Steamers on a Walk-Off Walk 7-6 - Wilson Tobs
- Former Marlin Sparks Fayetteville Past Morehead City, 6-5 - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Mustangs use big inning to down HiToms - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- Grizzlies Coast Past Owls - Forest City Owls
- Brenner, Quattrocchi, and Wendle Set Steamer Franchise Records - Edenton Steamers
- Marlins Stymie Generals in 6-5 Win - Morehead City Marlins
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