SwampDogs Win 3-1 on Strength of Pitching, Defense
June 30, 2014 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Fayetteville SwampDogs News Release
THOMASVILLE, N.C. - It was a classic pitcher's duel Monday night, and the SwampDogs came out on top 3-1 thanks to timely hitting, and a solid effort from both the pitching staff and the defense.
The SwampDogs were able to strike first, with two runs iin the third inning. Michael Bozarth (Saint Louis) smashed a homerun over the left field wall off of HiToms starter Jordan Simons. The second run of the inning would come home after Simons lost the strikezone and walked four SwampDogs batters, with a walk to Kam Stewart (Frostburg State) eventually plating Jason Blum (Southeast Missouri State).
In addition to the homerun, Bozarth played a solid game defensively, showing off a cannon of an arm in centerfield, nabbing Spencer Mahoney at the plate in the seventh inning, and made a couple of running catches.
Simons was making his first start of the season for the HiToms, and turned in an admirable performance. He allowed just the two runs in six innings, allowing just one hit, the homerun to Bozarth, striking out eight and walking six.
The HiToms would strike with their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning off of starting pitcher Rayne Raven (Cal State Northridge). Dez Roberts would lead off reaching on an error and would eventually come in to score on a sacrifice fly from Glen Batson.
Raven would have one of his best outings of the season, going seven innings allowing just the one unearned run on six hits, walking three and striking out six.
The SwampDogs would tack on an insurance run in the eighth inning off of HiToms reliever Justin Morrison, when David Palenzuela (Miami Dade) walked with one out, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A ground rule double two batters later by Stewart would plate Palenzuela.
Hunter Barnett (Mount Olive) and Seth Laigast (New Orleans) would combine to finish off the HiToms in the eighth and ninth innings, with Laigast earning the save, his first of the year.
Raven got the win for the SwampDogs, and improves to 2-1 on the year, Simons took the loss, and falls to 1-2 on the season.
The SwampDogs return home Tuesday night to start the second half of the season against the Peninsula Pilots at 7:05 pm. It will be Hope Mills Night and UNC Pembroke Night at The Swamp. 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. Further more, the CPL has had over 1,200 alumni drafted and 69 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut thus far; while another notable alum - Russell Wilson - won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at CoastalPlain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as CPLBaseball).
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 30, 2014
- Marlins Bash 17 Hits in 10-3 Win over Sharks - Morehead City Marlins
- SwampDogs Win 3-1 on Strength of Pitching, Defense - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Blowfish Announce July's Community Organizations of the Night - Lexington County Blowfish
- Blowfish Close First Half of CPL Season - Lexington County Blowfish
- Peninsula Pilots (CPL) Upset USA Baseball, 7-5 - Coastal Plain
- Team USA Drops 7-5 Decision to Peninsula Pilots - Peninsula Pilots
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