Owls Break Out the Brooms vs. Asheboro
June 20, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
FOREST CITY, N.C. - The Forest City Owls completed a three-game sweep of their West Division rivals, the Asheboro Copperheads, Monday night at McNair Field by a score of 8-2. Both teams are now tied atop the West Division standings with a record of 13-7. The Owls own the tiebreaker by virtue of their 5-0 season series advantage. Tonight's triumph marked the Owls' seventh win in their last eight games.
The Owls received a fantastic performance from starting pitcher Danny Healey. In his first CPL start, Healey tossed eight innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out three batters and walking four. Healey was rewarded with his first victory of the season.
On the Asheboro side, Cordell Greene worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits, recording five strikeouts and one base on balls. Greene took home his first loss of the season.
Much like last night, the Copperheads got the scoring started. Asheboro loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the second inning. LF Brian Wolfe grounded into a double play, allowing 2B Marquis Riley to score. The Copperheads led 1-0 heading into the third inning.
Forest City got on the board in the bottom of the third inning. DH Konstantine Diamaduros laced a two-out double down the left field line, scooting home 3B Jordan Betts and catcher Craig Manuel. The Owls went ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the third.
They would strike again in the bottom of the fourth, when LF Cameron Conner blasted a solo home run, his fourth jack of the season and of the last three games. Conner came through in a big way once again in the bottom of the sixth, when his double to right field scored SS Reed Harper. The Owls owned a 4-1 lead after six frames.
The Owls would go on to score four runs over the next two innings. Forest City plated a couple in the bottom of the seventh, one off CF Michael Bishop's RBI double, the other scoring as a result of an error by Asheboro 1B Hunter Ridge.
With runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth inning, Manuel cracked a double to left field. Buddy Sosnoskie, who pinch ran for 1B Dusty Quattlebaum after his leadoff walk, crossed the plate. In the very next at-bat, with Betts at the plate, Asheboro reliever Jeff Howell unleashed a wild pitch that allowed Owls RF Axel Johnson to score. The Copperheads sandwiched a run between the Owls' seventh and eighth innings.
Owls right-hander Colby Suggs entered the game in the ninth inning in relief of Healey, charged with protecting an 8-2 lead. Suggs retired three of the four batters he faced, preserving the victory for Healey and the Owls.
The Owls kick off a two-game series against the Thomasville Hi-Toms tomorrow night. First pitch is set for 7:30 PM from McNair Field.
The Forest City Owls are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 15th season in the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 15th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in 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 930 alumni drafted and 44 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 20, 2011
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