Shaban Walks Off In Twelfth

July 27, 2012 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release


Wilmington, N.C. - A bases loaded single for Brad Shaban in the 12th inning pushed the Sharks (12-9, 28-20) over the Petersburg Generals (7-15, 21-29) for their fourth walk-off win of the summer. It was also the club's first home extra inning game.

The visitors had taken a 5-4 lead in the top of the final frame, but reliever Thomas Gill got in trouble early. An error allowed Scott Coleman to reach base, and he would later score the tying run when Mel Skochdopole was hit in the ankle with the bases loaded. At that point, Alex Freedman represented the tying run with two outs. Shaban came up and knocked a blooper into center field, where Eric Toole gave it a valiant effort but couldn't come up with the sliding catch and the Sharks sprinted onto the field in celebration.

To get to extras, Wilmington needed a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Cole McInturff walked then later scored on an error that also allowed Skochdopole to head to third, with Brad Shaban being the batter who reached. Skochdopole then scored on a Casey Goss grounder to tie the game at four and bring the game to extras.

The Sharks had taken a 2-1 lead after two innings thanks to another key Shaban hit, as he was credited with both RBIs on a single. With a run in the fourth and two in the fifth, the visitors took a 4-2 lead that stuck until Wilmington's ninth-inning dramatics.

Wes Hatley was credited with the win, his league-best sixth of the season, after tossing three innings and allowing one run on four hits and a hit batter with four strikeouts.

With the win, Wilmington turns its eyes to the scoreboard. If the Peninsula Pilots lose to the Wilson Tobs in their rain-delayed game, the Sharks clinch a berth into the 2012 Petitt Cup Playoffs.

Only one home game remains in the regular season, next Thursday against Thomasville. The Sharks travel to Florence, Edenton and Morehead City for a total of four games in the interim. For more on the Sharks, visit wilmingtonsharks.com, add Sharky Sharks on Facebook and follow @ILMSharks on Twitter.



Coastal Plain League Stories from July 27, 2012


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