Stephens Lifts Sharks in Game One against Pilots
Published on August 7, 2013 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
Wilmington, N.C. - The Wilmington Sharks came from behind on Wednesday night to win game one of the Petitt Cup Playoffs 5-4 over the Peninsula Pilots and take a 1-0 series lead.
The Pilots got the offense going in the top of the first inning as Jordan Negrini picked up a two out two RBI double to give the Pilots a quick 2-0 lead. Josh Silver extended the lead for the Pilots in the top of the third inning as he led off with a line drive home run over the left center field fence to make it 3-0.
The Sharks got back into the ballgame in the bottom half of the third as Andrew Amaro reached safely with two outs on a catcher's interference. Alex Freedman kept the inning alive with his second hit to put two runners on. The Sharks scored their first run of the game on a Cody Dolan single to make it 3-1. The next batter for the Sharks, Zach Stephens drove in Freedman to make it 3-2 in favor of the Pilots.
The Pilots tacked on a run in the top of the fifth inning on a blooper off the bat of Negrini that fell into shallow left field to make it 4-2.
The Sharks were not done as Dolan led off the eighth with an infield single to bring Stephens to the plate as the game tying run. Stephens had a 1-0 count and hit an off speed pitch left up in the zone off the Sharks front office building in dead center field to tie up the game 4-4 with no outs. The Sharks continued the inning as they loaded the bases with two outs for Andrew Amaro who hit a soft ground ball to Negrini at third who couldn't make the play which allowed a run to score the and give the Sharks a 5-4 lead.
Hunter Smith came into the ninth and picked up his third save of the year for the Sharks. There were four Sharks with two hits in the game and that included Dolan, Freedman, Amaro, and Stephens who drove in three of the Sharks five runs.
The Wilmington Sharks will go on the road on Thursday night for game two of the three game series against the Peninsula Pilots with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
The Wilmington Sharks are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 1000 alumni drafted and 62 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their major league debut so far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (@cpleague).
Coastal Plain League Stories from August 7, 2013
- SwampDogs Nipped by Steamers in Extras - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Stephens Lifts Sharks in Game One against Pilots - Wilmington Sharks
- HiToms Defeat Blowfish 5-0 in Game One of CPL Playoffs - Lexington County Blowfish
- Blowfish Start Playoffs at Thomasville - Lexington County Blowfish
- Get a Free Ticket to Tonight's Playoff Game With Purchase of Shirt or Hat - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
