Offensive explosion sends Pilots to Championships
August 13, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Peninsula Pilots News Release
HAMPTON, VA- The Peninsula Pilots offense exploded after a brief rain delay with a 14-1 pounding of the Wilson Tobs to advance to the 2014 Petitt Cup Championships on Tuesday night at War Memorial Stadium.
The Pilots were leading the Tobs 2-1 in the third inning before heavy rain stopped the game. After a 56 minute rain delay, the Pilots took advantage of sloppy defense and wild pitching in a five-run third inning to extend their lead to 7-1. The Pilots scored five runs in the inning despite only having one hit (Garrett Brooks' two-run double) in the inning but were aided by two errors and three wild pitches in the frame.
The Tobs misplayed two balls that were scored errors to start the third inning. Brandon Stephens (Georgia) loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch. PJ Higgins (Old Dominion) brought in a run on a fielder's choice and Nick Lustrino (Temple) made it 4-1 Pilots when he scored on a wild pitch. After a walk to Andres Nelo (Lee), the Tobs went to their bullpen)to stop the bleeding. After a fielder's choice scored another run, Garrett Brooks (East Carolina) capped the inning with a two-run double to right field to make it 7-1 Pilots.
Behind the offensive support, Shawn Clowers (Liberty) turned in a fine start for the Pilots to earn his first win of the postseason, evening his record at 1-1. Coming off a rough outing against the SwampDogs in the first round, he gave up a run on two hits and struck out three in five innings of work. The lone Tobs run came on a solo home run to Collins Cuthrell (UNC Pembroke) in the second inning.
Peninsula added a run in the fourth inning with a RBI single by Higgins to make it 8-1 in favor of the Pilots. The team the nused a six-run seventh inning to open the floodgates and ensure a spot against Florence in the Petitt Cup Championships on Thursday. The Pilots used an eight hit attack in the eighth inning capped by Connor Myers' (Old Dominion) two-run double. Alex Close (Liberty) and Jason McMurray (Iowa Western CC) added RBI singles in the inning while another run was scored on an error.
Behind Clowers, three pitchers combined to pitch the final four innings, only allowing two hits. Grayson Bailey (Lee) worked two innings while Jonathan Rosenberger (Newberry) and Austin Heenan (VMI) pitched the final two innings, respectively.
Close and Higgins paced the 16 hit attack with three hits apiece. Lustrino and Brooks added two hits apiece.
The Pilots will face Florence in the 2014 Petitt Cup Championships, starting on Thursday. Game 1 will played in Florence on Thursday night while Games 2 and 3 will play at home on Friday, and if necessary, Saturday. For more information regarding the season, please visit www.peninsulapilots.com. For up to the minute details on Pilots Baseball be sure to "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @PeninsulaPilots. Use the #PilotsNation to spread the word about the Pilots!
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Coastal Plain League Stories from August 13, 2014
- Offensive explosion sends Pilots to Championships - Peninsula Pilots
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