Pilots Drop Defending Champs
June 2, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Peninsula Pilots News Release
EDENTON, N.C. - The Peninsula Pilots defeated the defending champions, Edenton Steamers, 5-3 on Thursday night at Historic Hicks Field.
The two teams combined to win the previous three CPL titles with the Pilots winning in 2013 and 2014 before the Steamers won last season.
The Pilots wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as they struck in the first inning. Nick Walker (Old Dominion) led off the game with a walk and stole second. After a strikeout, Kyle McPherson (James Madison) singled to put two runners on. Kurt Sinnen (Old Dominion) brought home his college teammate, Walker, for the first run of the ballgame.
The Steamers knotted the game at one apiece when Richard Cunningham (Baylor) scored on a RBI single by Thatcher Coleman (Presbyterian).
Two innings later, the Pilots retook the lead with two runs in the fourth inning. Franco Guardascione (Jacksonville) drew a one-out walk. After a hit by pitch to Joe Poduslenko (Seton Hall), Josh Close (Liberty) loaded the bases with a single to right field. Curtis Whitten (St. Louis) was hit by a pitch to bring in Guardascione. Walker followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Pilots ahead by two.
The Steamers answered with a single run in the bottom half of the inning. A double by Jimbo Pernetti (CSU Chico) followed by a single by Aaron Aucker (Middle Tennessee) set up a RBI fielder's choice by Cunningham.
The two teams traded zeroes until the Pilots struck again in the seventh inning. Sinnen drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a single by Connor Sorge (Central Missouri). Guardascione doubled to right-center to plate Sinnen. A sacrifice fly by Poduslenko gave the Pilots a 5-2 advantage.
Edenton threatened in the eighth inning when the first two Steamers reached with no outs but a double play and a strikeout by Devin Hemmerich (Norfolk State) ended the threat.
The defending champions threatened once again in the ninth against Hemmerich. A single by Cunningham led off the inning for the Steamers. After a fly out, a throwing error on a fielder's choice attempt put two runners in scoring position. After a strikeout, an infield single by Daymon Totherow (Newberry) plated a run but a fly out ended the game.
Josh Winder (VMI) was awarded the win after pitching five innings only allowing two runs and Hemmerich notched the save, his first of the season.
After getting their home opener cancelled to inclement weather on Wednesday, the Pilots will try again to play at War Memorial Stadium as they host the Wilson Tobs on Friday, June 3rd for the annual Orange Out! Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the first pitch slated to begin at 7:05 p.m. THe first 750 fans get a free t-shirt courtesy of Bayport Credit Union and Fox Screenprint & Embroidery. 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 and Instagram @PeninsulaPilots. Use the #PilotsNation to spread the word about the Pilots!
• Discuss this story on the Coastal Plain League message board...
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 2, 2016
- SwampDogs Slam Sharks - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- SwampDogs' 18 Hits Overwhelm Sharks - Wilmington Sharks
- Pilots Drop Defending Champs - Peninsula Pilots
- Tobs Host Petersburg Tonight at 7:00 p.m. - Wilson Tobs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
