SwampDogs Sparkle in Season Opener
Published on May 28, 2013 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Solid bullpen pitching and an opening night to remember from third baseman Mitchell Kranson lifted the Fayetteville SwampDogs to a 4-3 victory over the Morehead City Marlins.
After the first inning it looked like it would be an offensive duel, but the Dogs' starting pitcher found some rhythm and tossed six innings, allowing two runs and just one earned. He pitched four straight three up, three down innings to finish his outing and he picked up his first win of the 2013 summer season.
Third baseman Mitchell Kranson went 3-for-4 on the evening with two RBIs and a stolen base while batting out of the three-hole.
The University of California freshman got some help from Chase Rader and Kevin Kean batting ahead of him in the order as they went a combined 2-for-3 in stolen base attempts. As a team, the SwampDogs stole four total bases and were aggressive on the base paths. Expect Fayetteville to be a league leader in that category as the season progresses for the second straight season.
The SwampDogs were down 2-1 heading into the fifth inning until the top half of the order strung together three straight hits with two outs to knock Marlins starter Justin Taylor out of the game.
The bullpen was impressive as Ben Burns, Parker McDaniel and Geoff Soja combined for three innings of work, allowed four hits, and gave up just one run. Both Burns and McDaniel faced only three batters apiece in the seventh and eighth innings respectively.
The Marlins made it interesting in the ninth, however, when they were down by two runs and Justin Hoyle hit a one-out double off the wall in left field. A couple of singles later and the Marlins saw themselves down just one run with the potential winning run on first base.
Geoff Soja was able to close out the game and pick up his first save in Fayetteville and seventh this year.
The SwampDogs travel to Wilmington to take on the Sharks (1-0) before returning to the Swamp on Thursday night for a game against the Forest City Owls.
Coastal Plain League Stories from May 28, 2013
- SwampDogs Sparkle in Season Opener - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Marlins Drop Season Opener, 4-3 in Fayetteville - Morehead City Marlins
- Sharks Open 2013 Season with Shutout Win - Wilmington Sharks
- Tobs Roll Steamers - Edenton Steamers
- Sharks Open Up Season On the Road - Wilmington Sharks
- Sharks Sign Two College Athletes - Wilmington Sharks
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