Solid Pitching, Clutch Hitting Saves The Day For Morehead City
May 27, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Morehead City Marlins News Release
MOREHEAD CITY--The Marlins struggled to get the bats going once again, but were not detoured by the sluggish start in an impressive 4-1 win over the Forest City Owls during Wednesday night's home opener at Big Rock Stadium.
"It's fun man," Watts said of playing in front of the Morehead City crowd for the first time. "Hopefully its like this every night. It was a real good atmosphere."
Playing in front of a crowd of 1,085 fans excited to see Marlins Baseball, Luke Watts (Appalachian State) took the mound with confidence. With his team in a pinch, the right hander emerged as a starter for the first time since early in his high school career.
"It's a completely different mentality," Watts admitted. "I tried to pace myself and not overthrow unless I was ahead in the count. You know, trying to put guys away."
That was certainly the case for Watts, who went six quality innings for the Marlins (2-0) allowing just two hits and one run while striking out five.
The Marlins struggled early, not collecting a single hit until Logan Sherer (Charlotte) knocked a sharp single to left in the 5th. But as per usual, things turned for the better as the Marlins tied the game in the 6th, took the lead in the 7th and padded on in the 8th.
The notable hero was Sherer, who went 2-5 with a clutch two-out single in the 7th inning. The unsung hero was Dominick Cammarata, who has been playing with a sore knee while catching both games this season. The University of Tennessee product was battered all night long as he was hit in three different at-bats, the last of which resulted in a crucial run.
"I was just trying to scratch a run across any way I could," Cammarata said. "We battled, we fought and it's just great to get that energy and fire the guys up in the dugout."
After the Marlins took the lead, the bullpen was excellent. Harper Grier (Lander University) pitched a scoreless 7th inning, earning his first win of the season, and then Zach Reid (Tennessee) came in pounding the zone for another two innings of scoreless relief earning his first save of the year.
What the Marlins have done is unprecedented, winning the first two games of their season for the first time in franchise history. The last time Morehead City even started 1-0 they went on to make the playoffs. That early-season success gives coach Wood confidence about where this team can go.
"One of the more difficult components is trying to bring everything together really quickly," said Wood. "But if you are able to do that, it sets you up to have a good summer."
The Marlins now hit the road for a quick turnaround game against the Wilmington Sharks before returning home Friday night to face the same Sharks squad at 7:05 p.m. at Big Rock Stadium.
FOUR FINN'S
-The Marlins' bullpen has only allowed one run in eight innings of work this season.
-Christian Campbell (Rutgers) notched the Marlins first extra-base hit of the season after doubling to lead off the 6th inning. He later came around to score the opening run as well.
-Dominick Cammarata becomes the first player in Marlins history to be hit three times in one game.
-The Marlins stole two bases on the night. The first came from No. 2 hitter Matt Collins (Texas A&M), the other from lead off hitter Grant Tyndall (Mt. Olive).
Coastal Plain League Stories from May 27, 2015
- Blowfish Cap Historic Night with Victory over Gastonia - Lexington County Blowfish
- Solid Pitching, Clutch Hitting Saves The Day For Morehead City - Morehead City Marlins
- Dogs Fight, Come up Short - Fayetteville SwampDogs
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