SwampDogs Force Game 3
Published on August 9, 2012 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Fayetteville SwampDogs inched closer to a berth in the 2012 Petitt Cup Championship when they avoided elimination by defeating the Forest City Owls, 2-1 in a 12-inning classic at "The Swamp on Thursday night.
Mike Tauchman (Bradley) scored on a passed ball from third base to give the Dogs a one-run victory.
Forest City took a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning, when Fayetteville was able to tie it up with a two-out rally. Reed Harper (Austin Peay) ripped a double into the left center field gap to get into scoring position, and Sal Giardina (Lynn) followed with an RBI-double to deep right field to plate the first run of the game for the Dogs.
Tauchman threw out the potential lead run to end the top of the10th inning, and Harper leaped up and snagged a line drive to end the Forest City 11th while the Owls had runners on first and second.
The game remained tied until the 12th frame, when Tauchman led off the inning with a single. He promptly stole second and third base, as he stood 90 feet away from forcing a deciding game three. A fastball up and in to Harper ricocheted off the catcher's glove and rolled to the backstop, allowing Tauchman to come in to score and win the game for Fayetteville.
Starter Gary Ashcraft (Francis Marion) worked six innings and allowed one earned run, and the bullpen combined for six shutout innings of work. James Simmons (Hardin-Simmons) has now worked 8.1 scoreless innings in the playoffs, and Tyler Brunnemann (Hardin-Simmons) has seven strikeouts in four innings. Max McDonald (St. Edward's) picked up the save in his first relief appearance of the season.
Game three will take place tomorrow night at "The Swamp," with the winner advancing to the championship round to take on the fourth-seeded Columbia Blowfish. For tickets, visit or call the business office at (910)-426-5900, and for all things SwampDogs log on to www.goswampdogs.com.
The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, 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 1,000 alumni drafted and 53 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 be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).
Coastal Plain League Stories from August 9, 2012
- Blowfish End Clams Season - Edenton Steamers
- SwampDogs Force Game 3 - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- SwampDogs Speed Forces Game 3 - Forest City Owls
- Blowfish Top Steamers, Advance to Championship Series - Lexington County Blowfish
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