SwampDogs Dispatch Marlins in Thrilling Opener
Published on May 27, 2014 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - If Opening Day is any indication, the 2014 season should be the most exciting one at the Swamp yet. The Fayetteville SwampDogs defeated the Morehead City Marlins 5-3 in dramatic come-from-behind fashion Tuesday night.
Things got off to a rocky start for the Dogs when starting pitcher Ricky Rivera allowed a double to centerfielder Matt Simmons and an infield single to first baseman Quincy Nieporte to put runners at second and third with one out in the first inning.
Simmons came around to score on a groundout by catcher Garrett McKinzie, and a single down the right field line by third baseman Ricky Negron plated Nieporte to make it 2-0 Marlins.
They would add a third run in the second after Sam Delaplane had a leadoff single and was plated by a Scott Edge double. The Marlins would load the bases with one out, but a spectacular double play turned by shortstop Kam Stewart and second baseman Tyler Coolbaugh got Rivera out of the jam.
Rivera would settle in from there, retiring the side in order in the third and fourth innings, before allowing a leadoff double to second baseman Tyler Burden in the fifth. Burden was caught trying to steal third, and Rivera retired Simmons and Nieporte to quietly end his night.
Meanwhile, Marlins starter Sam Mersing was dealing. He retired the first nine SwampDogs to face him before a leadoff walk to centerfielder David LaFleur in the fourth. Stewart was up next and hit a groundball to second base, and in the process of trying to turn a double play, Burden threw the ball away, so the Dogs had runners on second and third and no outs.
Right fielder Chase Edwards grounded out to first to drive in the first run, and Stewart came around to score later on a wild pitch.
The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the sixth when Stewart singled, then went first-to-third on a base hit from Edwards. With first baseman Brandon Metoyer up, Edwards broke to steal second and rather than throw through to the bag, McKenzie threw to shortstop Manny Pazos. Stewart would have been caught in a rundown, but Pazos errantly threw the ball home, allowing Stewart to score the tying run.
Ben Dartnell and Seth Laigast hurled scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth innings for the SwampDogs, respectively, while Daniel Lewis held down the fort for Morehead City.
But a leadoff walk in the eighth to Stewart would prove to be Lewis' downfall. Stewart stole second, and advanced to third after the ball skipped into center field. With the infield drawn in, Edwards grounded out to short and Metoyer struck out. With two outs, Lane Paul served a Lewis offering into right-centerfield to plate Stewart and give the SwampDogs the lead.
Paul would score after third baseman Palmer Page doubled to left field on a ball that took a funny hop on Delaplane. Page was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
Hunter Barnett then came in to close for the SwampDogs, and worked around a one out double to secure the save and the first win of the year for the Dogs.
The winning pitcher was Laigast, who improves to 1-0, Lewis took the loss for the Marlins to fall to 0-1.
Tomorrow night the SwampDogs travel to Morehead City to play the second half of the home-and-home. The SwampDogs will send Rayne Raven to the mound, to be opposed by Scott Edge.
The "ËDogs return home on Thursday, May 29 to take on the Edenton Steamers. For tickets and more information call 426-5900.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 18th season in 2014, 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. The CPL has had nearly 1,200 alumni drafted and 68 of those - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut; while another notable alum - Russell Wilson - won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website atÃÂ www.coastalplain.comand follow us via TwitterÃÂ @CPLBaseball.
Coastal Plain League Stories from May 27, 2014
- It's Opening "Pink" Night at the Cap - Lexington County Blowfish
- Marlins Drop Season Opener to SwampDogs, 5-3 - Morehead City Marlins
- SwampDogs Dispatch Marlins in Thrilling Opener - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- 2014 HiToms Summer Camps Set - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
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