Foy's Late Game Heroics Save Sharks from the Swamp
June 12, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Tied 5-5 with two outs in the ninth inning, Sam Foy extended his hitting streak to 7 games with a pinch-hit single to drive home the go-ahead run as the Wilmington Sharks (7-5) defeated the Fayetteville SwampDogs (6-6) by a score of 6-5 on Thursday night at J.P. Riddle Stadium. Eight of nine batters in the starting lineup notched hits, while Wilmington tallied twelve hits for the third consecutive game.
The Sharks jumped out to an early lead in the second inning, sending nine batters to the plate and plating four runs. Hayes Nelson started it off with a single but would be erased on a fielder's choice, allowing Bialkowski to reach safely. John Fallon reached on a Fayetteville error, and a Matt Meeder walk would load the bases. Nick Rotola took one on the shoulder to bring in Bialkowski for the first run in the inning, but the Sharks were hungry for more.
Gavin Stupienski drew his second walk of the young game, collecting his first RBI of the night to score Fallon to bring up Sharks catcher Jose Hernandez, who would poke an RBI single. Hernandez had an enormous game, finishing the night 4-5 with four singles and 2 RBIs.
Fayetteville would issue a response quickly in the bottom of the same inning by scoring two runs on two doubles off Sharks starter Connor Johnstone. The SwampDogs went on to tie the game in the fourth, plating three runs on three hits, one of which being a two run homer. Johnstone went five innings, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking two.
Caleb Johnson pitched in relief of Johnstone, tossing two and a third, alloiwing three hits, and striking out four. It was Mike Castellani (1-1) who would snake the win after pitching a third of an inning in the eighth with the score tied 5-5, facing one batter and striking him out before the Sharks came up to bat in the ninth.
Stupienski battled but would eventually fall victim to a strikeout, followed by yet another Jose Hernandez single. The speedy Matt Whatley would replace Hernandez on the base paths, and would be moved up to second on an Alex Destino single. With the go-ahead run 180-feet away, Hayes Nelson would be turned away on a strikeout.
Coach Parker Bangs sent Sam Foy up to bat for Joe Bialkowski with two outs in the ninth, a decision that would eventually win the game. Sam Foy, no stranger to the Wilmington / Fayetteville rivalry, singled into right field allowing Whatley to blaze a path to home plate. Thursday night's victory gives Wilmington a road record of 4-2 this season, and 2-0 in Fayetteville. Wilmington has scored 44 runs across seven games away from home.
The Wilmington Sharks will play their third road game in as many days as they travel up the coast to be hosted by the Morehead City Marlins Friday evening, before traveling to Florence for a date with the Red Wolves the following night.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 12, 2015
- Wilmington Collapses, Loses in Extras - Wilmington Sharks
- Early Surge Leads Mustangs over Blowfish - Lexington County Blowfish
- SwampDogs Heeled by Salamanders - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- HiToms Once Again Lead the Coastal Plain League in Most Players Drafted - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- Foy's Late Game Heroics Save Sharks from the Swamp - Wilmington Sharks
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