Owls Soar High, Then Fall Hard
June 8, 2012 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
Forest City, NC- Will Chandler provided some excitement early in the first game of Forest City's Friday night doubleheader with Asheboro. However, the Copperheads silenced a packed McNair Field late. Chandler's walk-off RBI single gave the Owls a 6-5 win in 10 innings, from their opening night game that was suspended in the 10th last Tuesday. The team's regulation game also went into extras with Ford Wilson blasting a three-run homer in the 14th inning to win it, 5-2 for the Copperheads.
Forest City had numerous chances in the late innings to score the winning run. The Owls twice loaded the bases with no one out. The first time was in the 9th inning, but Taylor Bratton rallied to strike out Nate Chong, get a pop-up from Gunnar Heidt, and fan Bryan Aanderud to keep the game going.
Pete Schultz, who took the loss in Game 1, faced the same situation in the bottom of the 13th inning against the same three batters. Again, Chong, Heidt and Aanderud came up short. Forest City also had an opportunity with runners on first and second and one out in the 10th. That time, Bratton got a pop out and a fly out to avoid the loss.
Wilson took advantage after the Copperheads put two runners on with just one out against Bryce Danielson in the top of the 14th. He ripped a 1-1 pitch over the mini-monster in left field for what would be the game-winning home run. The Owls brought the tying run to the plate three times in the bottom half of the 14th, only to be turned away by John Tuttle, who picked up his first save.
Chandler won the first game for the Owls in just five minutes. The game started with Drake Thomason pinch-running for Alex Close at second base. Dykota Spiess stepped up with one out and took an intentional walk from Schultz. Chandler then sent a single up the middle to score Thomason. With the split, the Owls remain a half game behind the Copperheads for first place in the Western Division.
The Owls wrap up the week with a road game in Martinsville against the Mustangs tomorrow. Forest City has an off day on Sunday. The Owls start next week with three straight games against the Gastonia Grizzlies, with home games on Monday and Wednesday. Monday's game will be another Mighty Dollar Monday, with select concessions items just a dollar each. Call 828-245-0000 to order tickets or stop by the ticket booth at McNair Field.
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 8, 2012
- Wilson Tobs Swept in Doubleheader - Wilson Tobs
- Owls Soar High, Then Fall Hard - Forest City Owls
- Blowfish Snap Five-Game Losing Streak - Lexington County Blowfish
- Sharks Bite Marlins, 7-5 in 12 Innings - Morehead City Marlins
- Edenton Earns Come From Behind Victory - Edenton Steamers
- Branigan and Edenton Have Perfect Day In Win - Edenton Steamers
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