Gardner Lifts Steamers in 10

Published on June 22, 2018 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release


Devon Gardner's RBI walk-off single through the right side of the infield in the 10th inning pushed Edenton past the Peninsula Pilots 8-7 on Friday night at Hicks Field.

This marks the second consecutive night the Clams went to extra innings, winning in both. The Steamers record is now 7-10, making them victorious in five of the last seven contests.

"I couldn't be prouder of my guys with the way they've handled adversity," said head coach Russ Burroughs. "Playing in extras back-to-back nights is not easy. But the way they have progressively matured, they were able to come out on top in each game."

The International Tiebreaker Rule places two runners on base with no outs following the ninth inning. So, Gardner led off the 10th trying to bunt Will Ethridge and Anthony Jefferson over.

After failing to do so on two attempts, Gardner became a free swinger.

Going with his natural approach, he flicked the ball to the opposite field, which wheeled Ethridge all the way home. Gardner was met at first base by his teammates, mobbed in glory in his first walk-off hit.

"I knew I had to at least put it in play after not getting the bunt down," Gardner said. "I don't know if I'll ever feel anything like that again. It was amazing."

Steamers reliever Holden Drake sent his team to the home half of the seventh all tied up at 7-7, but it was not easy.

Already with two runners aboard for the Pilots, Cole Girouard tapped an infield single to load the bases. It seemed like Edenton was doomed with Peninsula jumping to the top of the batting order following the base hit.

With the infield playing shallow, Ethridge snagged a weakly hit grounder on the second base side off the bat of Tyler Adams. Ethridge quickly fired home and barely got the force out on a sliding Dominic Toso. The fans at Hicks Field erupted. There was hope.

Drake then had his toughest battle ahead of him, facing Jonathan Embry. A top player in the Coastal Plain League, Drake managed to strike Embry out looking with a full count and the bases still completely occupied. Jack Strunc then grounded out to end the frame unscathed for Edenton, which eventually led to Drake earning his first win of the summer.

"I was just thinking to throw strikes. I couldn't give them any free runs," Drake said. "Following the final out, I was amped. I already had the adrenaline going and we got it done."

Zane Harris carried the lineup early on for the Clams, blasting his fourth home run of the season while adding a double.

Rich Ciufo, along with Gardner, each extended their hitting streaks to seven games. Ciufo now has a double in six consecutive match-ups as well.

Matt Gill started for the Clams and went four innings, surrendering six runs (three earned). Troy Maslowski followed up with a shutout inning.

Kyle Shimp made his Steamers debut and walked each batter he faced. Charles Hall was able to bail him out of the jam. Hall battled for 2.2 innings without a run given up, lowering his season earned run average to 1.88 in 14.1 innings.

Ryan Scharf sparkled following Hall, shoving three punch-outs in 1.1 frames.

The Steamers next play Saturday night at Martinsville for the first time of the year. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

The Edenton Steamers are proudly celebrating their 21st season as a member of the Coastal Plain League in 2018. Be sure to follow the Teal and Black on social media to stay up to date with all things Steamers. You can find the team on Facebook @EdentonSteamers, Twitter @EdentonCPL, Instagram @edentonsteamers, and Snapchat @edentonsteamers. For more information visit edentonsteamers.com or call (252) 482-4080.

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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 22, 2018


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