Mustangs Race Away with 7-3 Win
July 22, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Florence RedWolves News Release
FLORENCE, S.C.- On another scorching hot summer evening, the (24-20, 8-7 second half) Florence RedWolves fell victim to not only the heat, but also the (18-25, 5-11 second half) Martinsville Mustangs, who trotted off with a 7-3 victory at Sparrow Stadium Wednesday night.
In the first and second inning, Martinsville threatened by getting a runner to third, but both of those runners were left stranded. Brandon Cook the starter for Florence really struggled in the first third of the game, throwing over 60 pitches in just those three innings, but was able to settle in for the next two innings.
Martinsville trotted out to an early lead scoring three runs in the third inning. Eric Lowe worked his was onto first off of Cook's third walk of the night, then reached second on a passed ball. Lowe was driven in off of a Ryan Hagan double to right center to give Martinsville the 1-0 lead. After a pair of groundouts, Jonathan Pryor too doubled, driving in Hagan to make it 2-0. Hairston would have ended the inning with a groundout to second, but Kolin McMillen misplayed a three hopper, which then trickled into the outfield. That allowed Pryor to score on the error, making it a 3-0 game in the third inning.
Brandon Cook exited the game in the top of the seventh, having thrown 107 pitches over the six frames, giving up three runs (two earned), on six hits, three walks, and six strikeouts. Allen Tokarz took over for the RedWolves, but the Mustangs got a run off of him in the top of the seventh. The inning got started off with a single into right field from Kyle Wrighte. Hank Morrison also singled to right, followed by Pryor getting hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Dorian Hairston sent a fly into right field, plating Write to put the Mustangs up 4-0 over the RedWolves.
Florence then had an opportunity to comeback in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs. Ben Holland led off with a double in the left-center gap, as Castillo followed with a single into left putting runners on the corners for Drew Wharton. Wharton spanked a double down the left field line scoring both runners to make it 4-2; Wharton extended his hitting streak to eight games, now with 12 RBI's on the season. That would be all the RedWolves could make happen, as the 6-7-8 hitters then went down in order to end the inning.
Florence again had a golden chance to take the game into their control, as the momentum shifted into their favor. Adam Renwick got it going with a base hit into left field. After a Chris Adams pop out, Chaz Pal drew a walk, and Ben Holland was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Andrew Castillo grounded into a 4-6-3 fielder's choice, scoring Renwick from third, and nabbing Holland at second. As Wharton stood at the plate, Martinsville went to the bullpen for Paul Kirkpatrick, ending Thomas Morris' night. When Kirkpatrick toed the rubber, Castillo stole second to put both runners in scoring position. Though Kirkpatrick was unfazed, getting Wharton to pop out to the shortstop for the third out.
The Mustangs added three more insurance runs in the top of the ninth, taking a 7-3 lead to seal their 19th win of the season.
Reggie Johnson continues to dominate his opponents picking up his fifth win of the season (5-0). He gave up just one hit as he entered the seventh, and then gave up three hits and two runs in the top of the seventh before being lifted. Through those six innings plus three batters, he threw just 70 pitches and 51 for strikes, walking one, and striking out three.
Kirkpatrick picks up his first save getting the last four outs needed, striking two of those batters out.
Brandon Cook, though settled in after the third, picked up his fifth loss of the season, moving to (2-5) in 10 appearances with 7 starts.
Florence moves to (24-21, 8-8 second half) on the season and will be on the road to play the Mustangs again, Thursday in Martinsville.
The will be back home on Friday, July 24th to take on eastern division foe, the Fayetteville SwampDogs for the I-95 Challenge.
Tickets may be purchased online (florenceredwolves.com), by phone at (843) 629-0700, or at the ticket booth on game days, starting an hour before game time.
SAME DAY ONLINE TICKET PURCHASES MUST BE MADE BEFORE 2:00PM- All tickets can be picked up at the RedWolves ticket booth on game day. *
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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 22, 2015
- Mustangs Race Away with 7-3 Win - Florence RedWolves
- SwampDogs Grounded by Pilots - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- HiToms Blown Away by Sharknado - Wilmington Sharks
- The Week Ahead - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- RedWolves Walk off on Blowfish - Lexington County Blowfish
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