Pilots Cruise to 500th Win
June 25, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Peninsula Pilots News Release
HAMPTON, Va.- The Peninsula Pilots cruised to their 500th win in franchise history Friday night at War Memorial Stadium by defeating the Martinsville Mustangs 11-1 and bringing their record to 14 wins and five losses. For the Pilots, the Liberty University duo of Will Shepherd and Andrew Yacyk provided a good portion of the offense. Shepherd batted 3-for-5 while scoring two runs, and Yacyk went 1-for-3, his lone hit being a booming two-run home run in the sixth inning.
The Pilots pitching staff also shined. Starter Devin Hemmerich (Norfolk State) threw five scoreless innings, striking out five and earning the win. The reliever-closer combination of Caleb Evans (Liberty) and Chris Gau (Jacksonville) kept the Mustangs' hitters quiet, allowing just one run in four innings of work.
Kyle McPherson (James Madison) got the offense rolling for the Pilots in the bottom of the first by singling up the middle. Shepherd followed behind doubling down the third base line under the third baseman's glove, putting runners on second and third with one out for Kurt Sinnen (Old Dominion). Sinnen singled in McPherson and advanced Shepherd to third. Charlie Cody (Virginia) followed suit by singling in Shepherd to round out the scoring in the bottom of the first.
The Pilots added to the run total in the bottom of the third. McPherson got the inning started again by drawing a walk. Shepherd followed him by laying a bunt down the third base line that was thrown away by the third baseman, putting runners at corners for the Pilots. Shepherd would then steal second. In an attempt to pick off McPherson at third, the Mustang catcher made the throw to third. The third baseman's return throw sailed over the catcher's head, allowing McPherson to score and Shepherd to advance to third base. Shepherd would score on a sac fly from Sinnen, putting the score at 4-0 after three innings.
The Pilots offense exploded in the bottom of the sixth, pushing across five runs on six hits. Cody got the train moving by singling with one out. Yacyk followed him up with the big blow, a two-run home run over the left center field wall. Jacksonville University players Evan Fernandez and Franco Guardascione, along with another Liberty man in Josh Close, added three straight singles, respectively, with Fernandez scoring on Close's single, the last of the three. Guardascione and Close were driven home by a double off the bat of Joe Poduslenko (Seton Hall) bringing the Pilots lead to nine after six innings.
The Pilots tacked on a couple more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Poduslenko reached base by way of a walk, followed by a single from Cole Austin (West Virginia). Shepherd drove in his third run of the night by singling on a line drive to right field, scoring Poduslenko. The hit slipped under the glove of the Mustangs' right fielder, allowing Austin to score from first on the error. At the conclusion of eight innings the Pilots had a comfortable 11-0 lead.
The Mustangs managed to cross the plate for their first and only run on a sacrifice fly by Brian Jestice (Evansville), scoring Collin Fleischer (VMI). However, it was not enough as Gau closed the game out with a strikeout. The win gave the Peninsula Pilots their 500th victory in franchise history, a great milestone for the team now in its 16th year of baseball excellence.
The Pilots hit the road for four straight road games next week, but return home to host the Petersburg Generals on Thursday, June 30th for Ladies Night and the third Thirsty Thursday of the season. Gates open at 5:30 with the first pitch set for 7:05. 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 June 25, 2016
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- Pilots Cruise to 500th Win - Peninsula Pilots
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