Late Inning Trouble Spoils Good's Strong Start
June 11, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release
WILSON, N.C- For the third straight game, the Marlins were unable to hold on to a late lead as they allowed four runs in the eighth and fell to the Wilson Tobs by a final of 5-2.
Morehead City held a one-run lead after mounting a comeback in the middle innings, but surrendered that lead with a shaky eighth inning. Adam Quiles came on in relief of Chris Good, and was hurt when an error from Nick Lombardi allowed a one-out base runner to reach. That brought up Jake Armstrong, who promptly doubled to tie the game. Quiles stayed on for an intentional walk to Dalton Knight, and was lifted in favor of Casey Eskew following the walk.
Eskew did get a force out at the plate for the second out of the inning, but then hit a man and walked Seth LaRue to bring home another run. Charlie Yorgen then busted the game open with a two-run single to make it 5-2.
"We just didn't finish strong, " head coach Sam Carel said. "Winning teams play hard and finish strong. We have taken care of the first half--we play hard. Every day. We will figure this out how to finish strong, and once we do that and continue to play hard we will get some positive results."
The eighth inning spoiled what was a stellar start from southpaw Chris Good.
Good, who allowed just one earned run in six innings in his first outing against Edenton, was just as good Wednesday against the Tobs. Good tossed seven innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits. It was the first time this season, whether with the Marlins or in 21 games (11 starts) with Bellhaven, that Good has allowed two hits while tossing six or more innings. His seven innings on the hill was the most for any Marlins' starter this season, and the first time Good has done so since February 22 with Bellhaven.
Good did uncharacteristically hit two batters and walk another one, but seemed to be un-phased by base runners. He worked around leadoff runners in the fifth and sixth, and limited damage by stranding two on in the fourth after allowing the lone run. Despite eight base runners, Good only tossed 76 pitches in the game.
"You've got a guy on the mound that throws strikes, competes and he is able to locate different pitches," Carel said. "When you have a guy that does that, he is going to be able to battle through any type of environment. He has done a very good job in both of his starts."
Morehead City struck for their runs against John Allen, a side-winding left-hander who came on in relief of starter Quinn Atwood with two runners on base in sixth and the lefty Matt Simmons at the plate. But Allen walked him, and then threw a wild pitch, which allowed the tying run to score. Allen stayed out for the seventh, but surrendered a double to Luke Tewes to lead off the inning. Tewes, who was on base for the first time this season, later scored on a Trent Leimkuehler sacrifice fly, giving the Marlins the 2-1 lead.
"I liked the resiliency [from our guys]," Carel said. "The resiliency has been there."
Allen was charged with the go-ahead run, while the tying run which was unearned, went on the record of Atwood, who had an otherwise superb outing. He went 5.2 innings and allowed just three hits while punching out four.
Morehead City got yet another strong offensive output from Johnny Caputo, who singled twice in the game. On the road trip, Caputo was 4-for-10 with three runs, three RBI, a homer and a walk. Trent Leimkuehler also drove in his second run in as many days, and Tewes was 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
The Marlins will play their first home game in more than a week on Thursday when they return home to face the Petersburg Generals at Big Rock Stadium. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 18th season in 2014, the CPL features 14 teams playing 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 1,100 alumni drafted and 65 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 (@CPLBaseball).
• Discuss this story on the Coastal Plain League message board...
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 11, 2014
- Sharks Score Nine in Seventh, Win 12-8 - Wilmington Sharks
- Blowfish Game against Florence Rained Out - Lexington County Blowfish
- Late Inning Trouble Spoils Good's Strong Start - Morehead City Marlins
- Forest City Blanks Asheboro 3-0 - Forest City Owls
- SwampDogs Win on Walkoff Homerun - Wilmington Sharks
- Blowfish Win 9-5 over Marlins - Lexington County Blowfish
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
