Grizzlies Force Decisive Game Three, Defeat Blowfish
August 11, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Lexington County Blowfish News Release
Lexington County Blowfish Lineup
(Lexington County Blowfish)
Gastonia, N.C. (August 10, 2015) -- Both teams have been pushed to the brink. The Gastonia Grizzlies defeated the Lexington County Blowfish 3-1 in game two of the West Division Finals, forcing a winner-take-all game three at Sims Legion Park.
Brooks Kennedy slapped the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning, the second of three unanswered runs scored by Gastonia.
The Grizzlies also capitalized on a bases-loaded opportunity in the seventh inning. After squandering a prime scoring opportunity with J.D. Crowe (Francis Marion) on third base with nobody out, the potential tying run, Gastonia responded right away.
Charlie Barnes (Clemson) departed after 6.1 innings, and when Trevor Bradley (USC-Aiken) entered the game, he beaned Jeremy Howell to bring in an insurance run.
Bradley shut the door after that point, keeping the deficit to two runs. His fastball proved to be the out pitch on this night, as he struck out four.
A 90-minute rain delay following a heavy thunderstorm did not deter either team. In fact, it was Lexington County that struck first in this game.
The Blowfish took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Reed Rohlman (Clemson) tripled as a result of a misplayed base hit into left field, and Dalton Duty (University of Central Florida) brought him home with two outs, lofting a single into left field.
As a team, the Blowfish finished Monday's game 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Gastonia tied the game at one apiece after a fielder's choice in the fourth inning. Jackson Mims knocked a bouncing ball to Danny Edgeworth (Mercer University), whose throw came home, and with a bang-bang tag by Tyler Lancaster (Spartanburg Methodist), Casey Scoggins evaded and scored.
For the first time in the 2015 playoffs, the Blowfish did not surrender a run in the first inning.
Zach Sightler and Ethan Wortkoetter pitched a combined gem for Gastonia. They limited the potent Blowfish offense to five hits. Sightler got the win, and Wortkoetter his first save.
Gastonia scored all of their offense on three hits. Blowfish pitching handed out six free passes on the night, including two walks and four hit batters. Barnes entered tonight's action having walked only three batters in seven prior starts. He walked two on this night.
It will all come down to a winner-take-all game three in Gastonia, Wednesday at 7:17 p.m. Join the broadcast on Z93.1 FM The Lake and on the Blowfish Baseball Mobile App beginning around 7:05 p.m.
The winner of game three will take on the winner of the deciding game three between the Edenton Steamers and the Wilmington Sharks for the rights to the Petitt Cup.
Images from this story
 Lexington County Blowfish Lineup |
Coastal Plain League Stories from August 11, 2015
- Gastonia Holds off Blowfish to Force Game 3 - Gastonia Grizzlies
- Tobs to Host High School Fall League - Wilson Tobs
- Sharks Pound Clams to Even Series - Edenton Steamers
- Grizzlies Force Decisive Game Three, Defeat Blowfish - Lexington County Blowfish
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