Owls Blank Grizzlies in Semifinal Opener
August 8, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
GASTONIA, N.C. - Andrew Brown threw seven scoreless innings to propel the Forest City Owls to a 5-0 victory over the Gastonia Grizzlies in Game 1 of the CPL Semifinals on Monday night at Sims Legion Park. The Owls own a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. First pitch was delayed 48 minutes due to inclement weather.
Andrew Brown took the mound for Forest City, working seven shutout innings and finishing with four strikeouts and two walks. Gastonia beckoned Robby Van Cour to the mound. Van Cour tossed four rocky innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while recording four strikeouts and three walks.
The Owls opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, when Craig Manuel lifted a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Buddy Sosnoskie from third. Forest City added a couple of runs in the top of the third frame. After leading the inning off with a double, Michael Basil raced home on a bloop single by Reed Harper to bring the Owls' lead to 2-0. Two at-bats later, Danny Canela sent a double into left-center field, driving home Harper to out Forest City ahead by three runs.
The Grizzlies found themselves in a world of trouble early in the top of the fifth inning. After loading the bases with nobody out, Van Cour surrendered a single to Craig Manuel, which sent Sosnoskie and Konstantine Diamaduros sprinting across the plate. The two-run base hit knocked Van Cour out of the game and ushered in reliever Eddie Cumpston, who retired the last three Owls batters without giving up another run. Forest City led 5-0 halfway through the night's proceedings.
Harper and Manuel each went 2-for-3 for Forest City. Manuel finished with three RBIs. Sosnoskie scored two runs for the Owls.
The CPL Semifinals continues tomorrow night, when the Owls host the Grizzlies at McNair Field. First pitch is set for 7:30 PM.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from August 8, 2011
- Sharks Fall Victim To Steamers In Game One - Wilmington Sharks
- Owls Blank Grizzlies in Semifinal Opener - Forest City Owls
- Steamers Open Second Round With Hit Parade - Edenton Steamers
- Sappelt Debuts with Reds - Florence RedWolves
- SwampDogs Thank Fans for Great 2011 Season - Fayetteville SwampDogs
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