Pilots Rout Mustangs to End First Half
July 2, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Peninsula Pilots News Release
MARTINSVILLE, Va. - A day after posting their lowest score output all season, the Peninsula Pilots regained their electric offense with a 12-3 rout of the Martinsville Mustangs on Saturday night.
On Friday night, the Peninsula Pilots, who average 7.1 runs per game, only scored one run against the Steamers but erupted for 13 hits which lead to 12 runs against the Mustangs.
The Pilots immediately jumped on the Mustangs with six runs in the first inning. Nick Walker (Old Dominion) singled and stole second before a single by Logan Augustine (Lincoln Memorial) put runners on the corners. Will Shepherd (Liberty) continued his torrid first half with a double to center to score both Walker and Augustine. Darian Carpenter (VCU) followed with a two-run home run, his second of the season, to give the Pilots a 4-0 lead four batters into the start of the game. Kyle McPherson (James Madison) singled, moved to second on a passed ball, and scored on a Mustangs miscue to put the fifth run on the board. After a Hunter Taylor (South Carolina) single advanced Austin to second, a wild pitch moved the runners up a base before a Josh Close (Liberty) RBI groundout gave the Pilots a 6-0 lead.
The Mustangs got one back in the first after a leadoff double by Brian Beard (Norfolk State). After a stolen base, Colin Fleischer (VMI) brought home Beard to cut the deficit to five.
Peninsula plated two more in the third inning to extend their lead to 8-1. After two quick outs, Cole Austin (West Virginia) knocked a two-out single and advanced to second on the throw. A single to left by Taylor plated Austin. Two straight wild pitches moved Taylor to third and a RBI single by Close gave the Pilots a seven-run lead.
In the fourth, a leadoff single by Augustine followed by three consecutive hit by pitches plated another run for the Pilots. Austin singled later in the inning to give the Pilots double-digit runs for the 10th time this season.Walker plated two more runs on a double in the seventh inning.
The Mustangs tacked on runs in the sixth and ninth innings, respectively, but it was not enough as the Pilots ended the first half with 19 victories.
On the mound, the Pilots saw a string of pitchers have successful outings on the rubber backed by the powerful offense. Brett Smith (Old Dominion) went four innings out of the gate, giving up a run on two hits and striking out four. Joel Taylor (Southeast Missouri State) followed with a scoreless inning before giving way to Colin Nowak (Southern Indiana). Nowak tossed two innings and gave up a run while striking out three. Tim Edwards (Seton Hall) and Chase Randolph (Lincoln Memorial) each delivered an inning of work to close out the game.
Sam Pruitt (North Greenville) took the loss for the Mustangs after giving up eight runs in 2 2/3 innings of work.
The Pilots finished the first half with 19 wins and begin the second half against Edenton on Sunday night at War Memorial Stadium with the Tribute to Military Night as well as a postgame fireworks display. 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!
Coastal Plain League Stories from July 2, 2016
- Sharks Come up Short in Morehead City - Wilmington Sharks
- Fish Flourish as Dogs Flounder - Lexington County Blowfish
- SwampDogs Lose Early Lead, Game to Blowfish - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Pilots Rout Mustangs to End First Half - Peninsula Pilots
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.
