SwampDogs Command Generals 13-3

July 31, 2013 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release


The Fayetteville SwampDogs (10-9, 27-19) ended their four game losing skid on Wednesday night, pounding 13 hits and 13 runs to beat the Petersburg Generals (5-19, 9-39) 13-3.

The SwampDogs scored their first run in three games in the second inning with runners on second and third. Brian Celsi (California) showed no hesitation as he stole home for the first time this season and the Generals' skipper was ejected for arguing.

Ryan Busch (Georgetown) walked to keep the inning alive with two outs and he stole second base. Adam Walton (Illinois) launched a single into left field to drive in two more runs. Fayetteville led 3-0 after the second inning.

Celsi added to the lead with a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in John Rooney (Siena) and Walton kept things going two innings later in the seventh. After the stretch, the designated hitter led the inning off with a double to right-center field. After Rooney bunted him over to third base, Mitchell Kranson knocked him home with a single through the right side making it a 5-0 game.

Ben Burns (Georgia State) was off to a phenomenal start, tossing seven inning of shutout baseball. He only allowed three hits and no walks in 57 total pitches heading into the eighth. The 6-2 lefty also had six straight 1-2-3 innings heading into the eighth.

Just when everyone thought this game was over, Petersburg tried to make it interesting. Andre Moore (Norfolk) led off the inning with a single and Joshua Markins (Virginia State) and Jordan Hopkins (Tennessee Tech) would load the bases with no outs. Matt Winn (VMI) hit an RBI groundout to Ransom LaLonde (St. Edward's).

Brent Turner (Western Illinois) singled sharply to right field to drive in the team's second run and then Rooney heaved the ball into left field after trying to gun the runner out at second on the force out. Burns surrendered three runs that inning, but none of them were earned. He would leave after his eighth inning of work and won his fifth of the summer.

The heavy artillery came out in the eight inning. The SwampDogs added eight runs against third baseman/pitcher Markins. He left the game with no innings pitched, eight runs (seven earned), three walks and four hits allowed.

Celsi roped a two-RBI double down the left field line with bases loaded to drive home his 31st and 32nd run of the season. He is now tied with Kranson for the team lead with 10 doubles and he is fifth in the CPL in RBIs. Derek Gibson (Southeast Missouri) hit his second triple of the season to drive in two runs and make it 12-3.

Fayetteville would end up winning 13-3 and seven players had at least one RBI on the evening. LaLonde led the way with four hits and Celsi had three RBIs and two stolen bases.

Gibson and Walton each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

It's the first time since Fayetteville won 14-4 against Wilson at home on June 8 that the SwampDogs won by double digits. Also it's the first time since July 17 that Fayetteville scored double digit runs.

Assistant and pitching coach Cory Kent coached his last game this summer for Fayetteville. He helped this staff become a top-five team in the league in ERA and Burns entered the game with an ERA above five, but he did not allow an earned run tonight.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing 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 1,100 alumni drafted and 64 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.



Coastal Plain League Stories from July 31, 2013


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