Coastal Plain High Point-Thomasville HiToms

Hi-Toms Outlast Owls, 7-3

Published on July 22, 2011 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
High Point-Thomasville HiToms News Release


FOREST CITY, N.C. - The Thomasville Hi-Toms defeated the Forest City Owls in 11 innings, 7-3, Thursday night at McNair Field. The Owls fall to 9-7 in the second half and 25-18 overall, while the Hi-Toms improve to 11-6 in the second half and 25-20 on the year. Forest City is now 3-2 in extra-inning contests this year, while Thomasville is 3-1 in extras. The Hi-Toms are now a game and a half ahead of the Owls in the battle for first place in the West Division.

Both teams received solid performances from their starting pitchers. Forest City's Ryan Hander (Nebraska) tossed five innings of two-run ball, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out four batters. Thomasville's Brian Holmes (Wake Forest) worked five innings, allowing just one run on one hit, recording six strikeouts and four walks.

The contest became a battle of the bullpens, with both teams employing three relievers. Thomasville's Travis Tingle (Louisville) earned his fifth victory of the season, while Forest City's Adam Izokovic (Gardner-Webb) was hit with his first loss of the summer.

The Hi-Toms dominated the proceedings through the first 5 ½ innings. Jacob Rogers (Mount Olive) kicked off the scoring in the top of the first inning, doubling home Brock Hebert (Southeastern Louisiana). Thomasville added on in the top of the third, when Stephen Carmon's (USC Aiken) sacrifice fly scored Cole Sturgeon (Louisville).

The Hi-Toms loaded the bases twice in the top of the sixth inning, but were only able to muster one run, when Zack Briggs (Appalachian State) hit a sacrifice fly to center that brought Tanner Mathis (Ole Miss) home. Thomasville owned a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Owls would fight back in the lower half of the sixth. With Buddy Sosnoskie (Francis Marion) on first, Danny Canela (N.C. State) crushed a two-run home run over the right field wall, his second jack against Thomasville in as many days.

The Hi-Toms cradled a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Michael Basil (Indiana) led off the bottom of the frame with a triple, putting the tying run 90 feet from the plate. Sosnoskie would come through on the next at-bat, lining a single into center field to score Basil and tie the game. Forest City was unable to bring the winning run home with a runner in scoring position, and the game was thrown into extra innings.

Both teams were retired in order in the tenth inning, but the Hi-Toms put the game away in the top of the 11th. Alex Williams (Louisiana Tech) led off the frame with a solo home run over the right field wall. After getting another run, Brock Hebert (Southeastern Louisiana) hammered the nail in the Owls' coffin with a two-run homer to left field. Forest City was unable to damage Sturgeon, who came over from right field to pitch the 11th, and overcome the Hi-Toms' 7-3 advantage in the bottom half of the frame.

Hebert went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and RBIs apiece. Sturgeon finished 2-for-5 with a couple of RBIs and a run scored, as well as a scoreless and hitless eleventh inning on the mound. Basil was the only Owl to muster more than one hit.

The Owls will travel to Asheboro tomorrow night to face the Copperheads. First pitch from McCrary Park is set for 7:05 PM.

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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 22, 2011


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