Small-Ball Gets Marlins 2-1 Victory
Published on June 30, 2011 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release
Morehead City, N.C. - "Statistics are just statistics," said Marlins slugger Chase McDonald, who leads the Coastal Plain League in batting average, earlier in the week.
Marlins second-year player Joe Sclafani said, "I'll bat wherever or play wherever Coach Bergman thinks it will best help the team." Sclafani is the Marlins' leadoff batter and starting shortstop.
The Morehead City Marlins sent the Columbia Blowfish packing with a 2-1 loss on Thursday night, playing an effective style of baseball that we haven't seen much of out of the Marlins this season.
Sclafani led off the bottom of the first inning with a double, was sac-bunted over to third by Grant Clyde, and then Garrett Wittels grounded out to second base. Just like that, the Marlins were on top 1-0. Jake Carlson later scored on a wild pitch after singling in the third inning. Those two runs were all the Marlins needed. "Small-ball" is what they call it.
Left-handed pitcher Kyle Mueller started for the Marlins, scrapping his way through four innings and giving up just a run on four hits. Another lefty, the University of Virginia's Aaron Stull, came on in the fifth to throw two innings, allowing no runs on two hits. Stull also struck out two and earned the victory in his first outing with the Marlins. Then, Alex Facundus tossed two perfect innings in the eighth and ninth to put the Blowfish to bed.
The Marlins also complemented the consistent pitching with great defense. Morehead City perfectly executed routine plays and made a few that probably shouldn't have been made, including a diving catch up the middle by second baseman Garrett Wittels.
The Marlins return to Big Rock Stadium tomorrow night, hosting the Florence RedWolves on Sanborn Orthodontics "Show Your Smile" Night. Sanborn Orthodontics will sponsor both a sticker and Frisbee giveaway for the event. Friday night's contest is set to start at 7:05, with gates opening at 6 o'clock.
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 30, 2011
- Copperheads Bottle Up Owls, 8-4 - Forest City Owls
- Small-Ball Gets Marlins 2-1 Victory - Morehead City Marlins
- Tobs Finish Half on 3 Game Win Streak - Wilson Tobs
- Fayetteville Clinches First-Half Division Title With 3-1 Win Over Edenton - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Marlins Beat Blowfish - Lexington County Blowfish
- HiToms comeback falls short at Martinsville - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- HiToms Celebrate July 4th - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- HiToms Host Independence Day Celebration - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- Steamers hold on for 6-4 victory - Edenton Steamers
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