Redwolves Utilize Longball, Defeat Blowfish
June 4, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Lexington County Blowfish News Release
Howard Joe of the Lexington County Blowfish
(Lexington County Blowfish)
Lexington County, S.C. (June 4, 2015) - A three-run third inning and a two-run ninth inning proved to be the difference for the visiting Florence Redwolves in a 5-1 victory over the Lexington County Blowfish on Thursday night.
In front of a sellout crowd at Lexington County Baseball Stadium, the Blowfish knocked nine hits, but left six on base, and grounded into two critical inning-ending double plays to throw off any rhythm they could establish.
A rally in the ninth inning down by four runs fell short. Connor Owings (Coastal Carolina) and Danny Edgeworth (Mercer) reached base with one out. Madison Stokes (University of South Carolina) would then ground into a double play off of Florence reliever Ivon Clough to end the game.
Shuler Ward and Chris Adams started a big inning offensively off of Blowfish starter Heath Holder (University of Georgia) with back-to-back solo shots to take a 2-0 lead. Chaz Pal continued the second phase of the rally with a one-out double, and Ben Holland plated him with a single for his ninth RBI of the season.
Holder battled back after allowing two more batters to reach base in the inning, forcing Drew Wharton to fly out to second base, ending the threat.
The Blowfish would respond in kind in the fourth inning. Howard Joe (Mercer) slammed a solo shot of his own to trim the Florence advantage to 3-1.
Joe's Mercer teammate, Edgeworth, kept the game at that stage with a dynamite defensive play just a half inning earlier. Chris Adams and Nathan Wierzgac reached base, but were thwarted by a dazzling diving play at the hot corner with two outs. The groundout saved a run from scoring, and set the stage for the solo home run.
In the fifth, it appeared the Blowfish had their best offensive opportunity. Mitchell Price (USC-Aiken) doubled, and Jared Shouppe (Florida Atlantic) singled to put runners on the corners. Jared Williams (University of South Carolina) then grounded into a 5-4-3 double play off of Florence starter Tyler Haswell to end the threat.
Haswell worked seven strong innings for the Redwolves. His .179 batting average against coming into tonight was tested, but he allowed only the solo home run to Joe to cross the plate.
The Blowfish, now at 4-4 (2nd, West), will look to erase the memories of two consecutive losses while on the road.
The Blowfish will travel to Asheboro to take on the Copperheads in the first of two games in a row between the two teams. The Blowfish and Copperheads will return to Lexington on Saturday. Tickets are available by visiting the Blowfish website at blowfishbaseball.com, calling the box office at 803-254-FISH, and at Blowfish On Main at 101 East Main Street in Lexington, South Carolina.
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 Howard Joe of the Lexington County Blowfish |
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Coastal Plain League Stories from June 4, 2015
- RedWolves Blast Past Blowfish, 5-1 - Florence RedWolves
- Salamanders Stymie Sharks in 5-2 Defeat - Wilmington Sharks
- Dogs Split Twin Bill with Tobs - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Marlins On The Verge of Winning, Falter 2-1 - Morehead City Marlins
- Redwolves Utilize Longball, Defeat Blowfish - Lexington County Blowfish
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