RedWolves Fall Victim to Walk-Off Home Run Again
June 2, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Florence RedWolves News Release
Edenton, N.C.- On an extremely humid, but relatively breezy Monday night, the Florence RedWolves traveled to Edenton to take on the Steamers at Historic Hicks Field. Florence found its way on the down side again, losing 7-6 on the second walk-off homerun, in three days. Florence got on the board early in the first inning, as Jordan Gore (University of South Carolina) led the ballgame off with a triple down the right field line. The next batter for the RedWolves, Nathan Wierzgac (Lee University), drove in Gore with an RBI single and advanced to second on a late errant throw from the Edenton first baseman. Chaz Pal (USC-Aiken) followed with a single of his own to left; Wierzgac was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play.
Moving into the bottom of the second, the Steamers were able to tack a three-spot on the RedWolves. Edenton's designated hitter, Demetre Taylor (Eastern Illinois) started off the inning with a leadoff walk. Tony Rosselli (Indiana State) got his only hit of the night, singling to right field. With runners on first and second, Chad Sedio (Miami Ohio) sent a line drive over the left field wall for a three-run home run. The homerun put the Steamers up 3-to-1 moving into the third.
Florence responded soundly, as they put up four runs on Edenton's, Chris Bonk (Hofstra). Gore recorded his second hit of the night, sending a solo shot over the towering left field fence. Wierzgac then singled up the middle, but was picked off trying to swipe second. Pal was issued the one out walk, putting a runner on for the Florence first baseman, Ben Holland (Lee University). Holland belted the 0-2, hanging curve to deep left-center field, to put the RedWolves up 4-to-3. Matt Williams (University of South Carolina) followed with a two out walk. Florence's six-hole hitter, Josh Meyer (Grand Canyon University) moved Williams into scoring position with the (5-3) putout. Chris Adams (Lee University) roped a single into right field scoring Williams from second easily, giving Florence a two run cushion, 5-to-3.
The Steamers threatened to score in the bottom half of the third, having bases loaded after two walks and a hit-by-pitch with one out. The RedWolves starting pitcher, Michael Maiocco of Flagler College, was able to eliminate the trouble by getting Taylor to pop out to third and Rosselli to line out to right.
Florence added just one more run on the night, coming in the top of the fourth inning. Jordan Gore reached base safely yet again on a single to right field, making him (3-for-3) to that point. Pal connected on a 0-1 fastball, doubling into the right-center gap, scoring Gore, making it 6-to-3 RedWolves.
Edenton went to the bullpen with two away in the fourth, ending Bonk's night and that proved to be the difference. Bonk's final line: 3.2 IP, 6 runs on 11 hits, and 2 walks. The Steamers bullpen then held the Florence hitters to just five hits for the remainder of the game. Tyler Ehlers came on to relieve, working 2.1 innings, no runs, one hit, a walk, and four strike outs.
In the bottom of the sixth, with two outs, Chad Sedio collected his second home run of the game, this time a solo shot, putting him with three hits on the game.
Florence went to the bullpen for Allen Tokarz (Piedmont College) to relieve Maiocco. Maiocco finished the night with six innings, four runs on six hits, three walks, a hit-by-pitch, and five strikeouts.
Edenton added two just after the stretch, and the pitching change in the bottom of the seventh. Tokarz issued back-to-back walks to Evan Rogers (Mars Hill) and Cole Gruber (Nebraska-Omaha). Mick Fennell (California-Pennsylvania) grounded into a 1-6-3 fielder's choice, getting Gruber out at second. With runners on the corners and one out, Hunter Newman (Trevecca Nazarene) grounded one to the shortstop, reaching safely on the 6-3 fielder's choice. Gore fielded the ball cleanly, but was unable to get the runner at second, as Pal got a late break for the bag. Everyone safe on the play, scoring Rogers, Edenton pulled within one, 6-to-5. The next Steamers batter, Demetre Taylor, hit a ground ball to second, but it went under his glove into center field, scoring Fennell tying the game. Tokarz was able to get out of it there, with a 6-4-3 inning ending double play.
In the ninth inning, Florence went to right field to find their new pitcher, bringing in Shuler Ward (Francis Marion University). Ward retired the first Steamer hitter on a fly out to right, but would give up his second walk off homerun, and loss (0-2) of the season, to Hunter Newman.
Newman's homerun was the second home-walk off in a row for Edenton.
Steamers pitcher, Matt Festa went on to pick up the win (1-1), working just the ninth, and giving up only one hit.
Florence's Jordan Gore was just a double shy of hitting for the cycle, finishing the game 4-for-5 with three runs scored and one RBI.
The RedWolves will be on the road to Wilson, Tuesday, June 2nd.
Tickets may be purchased online (florenceredwolves.com), by phone at (843) 629-0700, or at the ticket booth on game days, starting an hour before game time.
SAME DAY ONLINE TICKET PURCHASES MUST BE MADE BEFORE 2:00PM- All tickets can be picked up at the RedWolves ticket booth on game day. *
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