Late Steamers Rally Falls Short in Peninsula
June 5, 2013 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
HAMPTON, V.A - Justin Bhatti held the Steamers (4-4) to two hits over seven innings and the Pilots (4-4) defense withstood a late Steamer rally in the ninth inning to hold onto a 5-4 win on Wednesday night at War Memorial Stadium.
In the Steamers first trip to Hampton, VA, lefty Dylan Shoffner (St. Catharine College) made his second start of the season, facing off against Justin Bhatti, who also made his second start of the season for Peninsula.
Peninsula went right after Shoffner scoring two times in the bottom of the first inning, all with two outs. Josh Silver singled, Patrick Grady walked and Jordan Negrini doubled them both home, his sixth and seventh RBIs of the season.
Shoffner was able to dance out of a three-hit second inning due mostly to his catcher Jacob Reese (Eastern Illinois University) throwing out two runners attempting to steal in the frame.
Negrini struck again for the Pilots in the bottom of the third when he tripled for his second extra base hit of the contest. He came home to score on a throwing error on the play by Alex Delgado (Emmanuel College) on the relay for a 3-0 Pilots lead.
The former Pilot, Nick Thompson (East Carolina University) connected for his first home run of the season to cut the lead to 3-1 against Bhatti.
Peninsula continued the extra base hit parade when Connor Meyers hit an RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-1 and Zach Lopes followed with an RBI single that chased Shoffner and gave the Pilots a 5-1 advantage.
Shoffner's final line; three and a third innings pitched, 10 hits allowed, five runs (four earned), two walks and three strike outs. He took his first loss of the season.
Thanks to some defensive miscues by the Pilots in the top of the sixth Edenton closed the gap to 5-3. With two outs Thompson walked and Laz Villa (Reedley College) reached on an infield single. A throwing error on the play allowed Thompson to move up to third base. Nick Miller (University of Northern Colorado) was the next hitter and he skied one out to centerfield that Meyers couldn't track down. The ball went for a three base error and both Thompson and Villa came around to score.
John Williams (George Mason University) came into the game after Alex Westrick (Xavier University) recorded the final two outs of the fourth inning and pitched four scoreless innings to keep Edenton in the game. He allowed two hits and he walked a batter in the outing, striking out seven.
Bhatti, for Peninsula, absolutely confounded Edenton hitters all night, eventually finishing seven innings and giving up just two hits and three runs (one earned), with two walks and six strikeouts; earning his first win of the season.
TJ Rinoski entered and pitched a scoreless eighth inning before hitting Villa and allowing a single to N. Miller. Pilots head coach Hank Morgan went to the bullpen and emerging was Ryan Cook.
Josh Hampton (Wilmington University) knocked in Villa with a ground ball to make it a one run, 5-4 Peninsula lead.
After Adam Kirsch (Texas Tech University) was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second Blaise Fernandez (George Mason University) singled. Pilot's centerfielder Meyers atoned for his earlier error by throwing out N. Miller at the plate and Kirsch, the trail runner, was hung up between second and third base, eventually being tagged out by Negrini to end the ball game.
Peninsula set a season high with 12 hits on the night in the 5-4 win and they evened the season series at a 1-1. Peninsula travels to Edenton tomorrow night for the back end of a home and home.
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 m1,000 alumni drafted and 62 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).
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 5, 2013
- Late Inning Heroics for Brian Celsi - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Sharks Fall in 14 - Wilmington Sharks
- Marlins Fall to RedWolves 5-3 in Florence - Morehead City Marlins
- Blowfish Take 6-3 Loss to the HiToms - Lexington County Blowfish
- Late Steamers Rally Falls Short in Peninsula - Edenton Steamers
- Cranmer Grand Slam Guides Marlins to First Win - Morehead City Marlins
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