Marlins On The Verge of Winning, Falter 2-1
June 4, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release
MOREHEAD CITY - The Marlins had their chances, but Dominick Cammarata (Tennessee) flew out to center with two runners on in the 9th inning in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Peninsula Pilots. Starting pitcher Luke Watts (Appalachian State) gave the Marlins a great outing going five innings, allowing two runs on four hits. The biggest hit of the night was a RBI single from Skyler Weber that gave Peninsula the lead for good in the fifth, as the Marlins couldn't pull off another late comeback.
"We're right there. We're on the verge of breaking out," said assistant coach Courtney Spitz (Drury University). "We gotta continue to work hard, we have to continue to get in the cage. No one guy is gonna do it."
The Marlins left seven runners on base tonight, playing in front of 1,066 fans on Thirsty Thursday at Big Rock Stadium. After falling behind 1-0 on an unearned run against Watts, the Marlins rallied with a couple of two-out hits in the opening frame. Stephen Wallace (Mt. Olive) delivered his first and only hit of the night, an RBI single to left. While runs have been tough to come by for this squad, averaging just over three per game, the Marlins outhit the Pilots, 8-4, in the loss.
"I thought we swung it better tonight then we had in the last couple of games," Spitz said. "Just looking for that big hit. We're just looking for someone to step up."
Matt Collins (Texas A&M) led the charge offensively with three hits on the night out of the No. 9 spot, while Wallace extended his hitting streak to five-straight games. For the first time all season, the Marlins were caught stealing twice in one game, finishing 2-4 in stolen base attempts on the night.
"It's all about hitting pitches early," said Campbell, who leads the team in batting average this season. "We (really) need to get on pitches, put those balls in play, and see what happens."
Max Herrmann (Rutgers) entered out of the bullpen after Watts allowed that second run, throwing two scoreless innings of relief striking out two batters. Then entered Kurt Lipscomb (Faulkner), who pounded the zone retiring all six batters he faced recording three strikeouts.
Despite taking the loss, players were impressed with what Watts (1-1) brought to the table in his second-straight quality start as a member of the Marlins. "I love when Luke is on the mound," said Campbell. "I feel confident when he's on the mound. He just goes right after the batter."
The Marlins now hit the road for two straight beginning with a homecoming matchup for head coach Jason Wood, returning to Gastonia following three seasons as coach of the Grizzlies. Following the loss, the Marlins dropped below .500 for the first time all season (3-4) while losing their third one-run game in a span of seven days. Said coach Spitz: "We gotta bring some fire to the yard."
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