Marlins Blow Lead in Seventh, Lose 6-3 to SwampDogs

June 4, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.- The Morehead City Marlins allowed the Fayetteville Swampdogs to pull out a come-from-behind win on Wednesday after committing four errors in the game, including one in a four-run seventh inning which gave the Swampdogs a 6-3 lead.

Marlins' right-hander Logan Hershenow came on in relief of starter Chris Good in the seventh and got the leadoff man out, but allowed two one-out singles to David LaFleur and Kam Stewart. He allowed four hits in the inning and only recorded one out as Fayetteville scored four times.

"He [got hit around a little], but honestly, he didn't really see a lot of hard hit balls," said pitching coach Aaron Meade. "Maybe the one that was hit to right field, but other than that he threw well it just didn't go his way."

A costly error - the fourth of the game for Morehead City - also contributed to the four-run inning in which eight men were sent to the plate for the Swampdogs.

Shortstop Kirk Morgan fumbled a ball at shortstop two runners in scoring position, allowing a run to score with one out in the inning. It was the second error of the day for Morgan that contributed to a run. The next two batters then singled off of Hershenow, giving Fayetteville some insurance as they took a three-run lead into the eighth inning.

"[Errors] were the story of the game," said head coach Sam Carel. "You have to be able to catch, you have to be able to throw. We all had a hand in leaving some plays out there on the field."

The seventh inning spoiled what was a tremendous start from Left-hander Chris Good in his debut.

Good tossed six innings and allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits. He also did not walk a batter in the game. It is the second straight game the Marlins have had their starting pitcher record a quality start, after not having one for the first six games.

Good used an effective changeup all game paired with a well-located fastball, which caused the Swampdogs hitters to be off balance and pepper the infield with weak ground balls and pop ups.

"The fastball just sets up the changeup, and the changeup makes the fastball even better for him," Meade said. "If he can have both of those working it is huge. He doesn't overpower guys, he keeps guys off-balance and he was pounding the zone for us, which was big. He got a lot of groundballs, and hopefully next time it goes the other way for us."

"I felt good," Good added. "A little shaky at the end of the third, but I calmed down. The changeup was working well and it complimented the fastball and cutter."

He labored a bit more than he should have, however, as three of those Marlins' errors occurred while he was on the mound and kept him from having some quick innings.

In addition to Good's outing, the middle of the order was also impressive for Morehead City in the loss, as Nick Lombardi, Quincy Nieporte and Matt Simmons - hitting second, fourth and fifth, respectively - combined to go 6-for-12 with a home run, double, three runs and two RBI.

One day after doubling and driving in a run in his Marlins debut, Lombardi homered for the first time this season, stroking a line-drive shot to left field in the fourth inning off starter Bennett Schiltz.

Nieporte also continued to swing a hot bat, as he smashed a double to left-center field in the fourth, scored a run and singled. Nieporte has now hit in six of the Marlins' first eight games this season, and has reached base in all but one game.

Matt Simmons collected two hits in his first two at bats and drove in a run.

"They were squaring the ball up and timing things better, and when you square the ball up and have better timing, good things are going to happen, " Carel said.

The Marlins return home Thursday, where they will host the first place Edenton Steamers. First pitch is schedule for 7:05 at Big Rock Stadium.

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).



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