Late Heroics Lift Steamers in Game One
August 8, 2013 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C - Chase Harris lined a two-run single into left-centerfield field in the 12th inning and Jake McCoy's four innings of shutout relief gave Edenton a 4-2 win over the Fayetteville SwampDogs in game one of the opening round of the Petitt Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night at J.P Riddle Stadium.
Chase Harris (University of New Mexico) was the hero in the top of the 12th inning when he lined a two-run single into the left-centerfield gap with the bases loaded in a tie ball game to give Edenton a 4-2 lead. Jake McCoy (College of the Desert) came out for his fourth inning of relief and locked down the win for Edenton, for McCoy he moved to 8-0 on the summer and 1-0 in the postseason.
John Williams (George Mason University) got the nod in game one of the Petitt Cup Playoffs for Edenton and the SwampDogs sent lefty Kevin Archbold to the mound.
This game started as any other game does, each team put a man on third and failed to bring them home in the first inning. The second inning looked much the same, Edenton was retired in order and Fayetteville sent four men to the plate. 0-0 was the score as we headed to the third frame.
The Steamers, in what would become a theme, picked up back-to-back singles to begin the inning. Laz Villa (Reedly College) asked to lay down a bunt, popped it up behind the third baseman. The ball went over the glove of Michael Timm and landed in the grass. Timm picked it up stepped on third and threw to second for a double play; rally over.
Fayetteville took a two-out walk against Williams in the bottom of the third followed by Ransom Lalonde reaching on a throwing error by Josh Hampton (Wilmington University) that allowed Mitchell Kranson to score all the way from first for a 1-0 SwampDogs lead.
Hampton led off the fourth with a walk, moved to second on a Nick Miller (University of Northern Colorado) single and stole third base. He came home to tie the score on a Tyler Qualls (Louisiana Tech University) RBI groundout.
Edenton again got back-to-back singles to begin the sixth inning and again the double play ball reared its ugly head. A wild pitch moved both runners up and Qualls hit a groundball to second base. Ryan Busch fielded it and threw Qualls out at first. On the play Nick Miller tried to advance to second but Adam Kirsch (Texas Tech University), on third base, never moved. Kirsch was eventually put out in a run down and Miller got back to second base safely; again rally killed.
Williams was chased in the bottom of the sixth on three hits in the inning, including an RBI double by Derek Gibson that scored Lalonde who reached on a fielder's choice. Fayetteville took a 2-1 lead to the seventh. Williams final line was five and two-thirds inning pitched and two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks; he added four strikeouts and did not earn a decision.
In the eighth against Travis Hissong, into the game in relief of Archbold, Edenton tied the game. Harris singled and moved to third on a hit-and-run single by Hampton to put runners on second and third. Nick Miller laid down a suicide, sacrifice squeeze bunt that scored Harris to tie the game at 2-2.
It remained tied 2-2 into the 12th inning. Jack Van Horn came out for his second inning of relief and Edenton finally took a lead. Back-to-back infield singles began the inning and then Nick Thompson (East Carolina University) reached first on a sacrifice bunt, fielder's choice loading the bases. With one out Harris came up and lined the game winning hit into the outfield. Harris finished with three hits on the night.
Archbold pitched six innings for Fayetteville and allowed one run on seven hits, three walks and he struck out eight. He did not earn a decision. Van Horn took the loss for his two innings of relief. He allowed two runs on three hits, falling to 0-1 in the post season.
Three pitchers out of Edenton's bullpen, Jeremy Bales (Lee University), Rohn Pierce (Canisius College) and McCoy allowed only one hit over the final six innings of the game.
The series continues today in Edenton with the Steamers needing to win one game out of the next two games at home to advance into the semi-finals for the third fourth straight season. First pitch tonight is at 7 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m.
All tickets are $7, for more information please call the Steamers office at 252-482-4080.
The Edenton Steamers are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts.
Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 63 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander -make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cplbaseball).
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Coastal Plain League Stories from August 8, 2013
- Blowfish Shutout HiToms, 9-0, Force Game Three - Lexington County Blowfish
- Pilots Force Game Three with a 6-2 Win over Sharks - Wilmington Sharks
- Late Heroics Lift Steamers in Game One - Edenton Steamers
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