Pilots Win Season Opener
May 31, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Peninsula Pilots News Release
WILSON, N.C. - The Peninsula Pilots broke a tie with a three-run seventh inning to clinch a season opening victory over the Wilson Tobs on Tuesday night at Fleming Stadium.
After trading zeroes in the first two innings, the Pilots struck first with three runs in the third inning. Evan Fernandez (Jacksonville) and Nick Walker (Old Dominion) started the inning with singles before Kyle McPherson (James Madison) brought home Fernandez with a single up the middle. Kurt Sinnen (Old Dominion) followed with a two-run single to push the Pilots to a 3-0 early advantage.
The Tobs wasted little time in answering and posted two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jimmy Latona (Mercyhurst) singled to lead off the inning and stole second base. He advanced to third on a play and came around to score on a throwing error. Connor Leonard (Appalachian State) followed with a solo home run to left-center to cut the Pilots' lead to one. Wilson tied the game in the fifth when Cameron Balego (Mercyhurst) scored Willie McRae (Winston-Salem State) on a RBI groundout.
Tied at three apiece in the seventh, the Pilots mounted a rally to regain the lead. Curtis Whitten (St. Louis) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Walker followed with a walk to put two on with no outs. McPherson was called on to lay down a sacrifice bunt and was able to reach on a throwing error allowing Whitten to score the go-ahead run. A few batters later, Connor Sorge (Central Missouri) doubled to score Walker and Ryan Coale (James Madison) put the Pilots ahead by three with a single to score Sinnen.
Wilson scored a run in the bottom half of the inning on a McRae RBI double to score Chad Frazier (Concord). The Pilots pushed across another run in the eighth on a balk call and had an opportunity to the put the game out of reach but left the bases loaded in the inning.
Devon Mahoney (St. Louis) was awarded the win after tossing two innings, allowing a run and striking out three on the night. Norfolk State pitchers Michael Parmentier and Robbie Hiser each threw an inning to shut the door and preserve the victory.
Dillon Meadows (TCU) earned the nod on the league's first day of games and pitched 3 1/3 innings and gave up two runs (one earned) while scattering four hits and striking out three. Alex Sauger pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief and gave up a run. Jeff Thompson (Belmont Abbey) was charged with the loss after giving up three runs and failing to record an out.
At the plate, the Pilots had three players who had multi-hit games to lead the hitting attack. Fernandez was 2-for-3 and Walker was 2-for-5 with both players scoring two runs apiece. Coale added two RBIs while Sinnen reached base in all four plate appearances.
The Pilots will host the Edenton Steamers in their home opener on Wednesday, June 1st at War Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the first pitch slated to begin at 7:05 p.m. 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!
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Coastal Plain League Stories from May 31, 2016
- SwampDogs Drop Opener in Florence, 6-1 - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Pilots Win Season Opener - Peninsula Pilots
- Offense Propels Sharks Past Marlins - Wilmington Sharks
- Bananas Opening Night Sold Out - Savannah Bananas
- Tobs vs. Peninsula Tonight at 7:00 p.m. - Wilson Tobs
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