Tobs Lose Fourth Straight

Published on July 27, 2011 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilson Tobs News Release


HAMPTON, V.A. (July 27, 2011) - Right fielder Phil Ruzbarsky broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth to help lead the Peninsula Pilots (8-14, 25-25) past the Wilson Tobs (8-14, 23-27) by a score of 8-5 on Wednesday night at War Memorial Stadium.

Left fielder Tristan Moore led off the Pilots half of the sixth with a single through the left side. Then up stepped Ruzbarsky to the plate, who tripled to the gap in left-center field, plating Moore to give the Pilots a one-run advantage. Ruzbarsky would score when the next batter flew out to right, making it 5-3 Peninsula.

Wilson had tied things up in the top of the fourth. The leadoff hitter in the inning, SS Angelo Labruna, walked and then immediately stole second. Catcher Keith Morrisroe laid down a sacrifice bunt back to the pitchers mound to move LaBruna to third, and 2B Brian Holberton drove LaBruna home on a sacrifice fly to center field, knotting up the score at 3-3.

The Tobs went ahead 2-0 in the top of the first when Peninsula starter LHP Jake Cave walked two batters with the bases loaded. In the inning Cave surrendered four walks and one single, while also striking out the side. The first of the walks Cave gave up was to Morriesroe, who with the walk reached base in his 34th consecutive game, setting a new team record since that stat has been kept beginning in 2010.

Peninsula answered in the bottom of the inning. Tobs starter LHP Brice Rivenbark walked the first hitter he faced, Peninsula 2B Ivan Hartle. Hartle advanced to second on a passed ball, and would come around to score on a single to left by SS Jimmy Rider. Rider scored later in the inning when Ruzbarsky struckout swinging, but the strikeout pitch got away from Morrisroe, so when Morrisroe threw to first to try and complete the strikeout, the throw was late and Rider sprinted home from third to make the score 2-2 at the end of one.

The Pilots took their first lead in the bottom of the second on a solo homerun from Hartle that cleared the left field wall. It was the first homer of the year for Hartle and the third hit off of Rivenbark this summer, giving Peninsula a 3-2 edge.

Rivenbark (2-5) was replaced by LHP Chad Girodo to start the seventh. Rivenbark got tagged with the loss, and his final line was six innings, five runs (four earned) on five hits, three walks, and 12 strikeouts. The 12 strikeouts for Rivenbark is a Tobs season-high for an individual pitcher. RHP Mike Devine (3-0) earned the win for the Pilots, pitching four innings of one-hit ball.

Peninsula secured the win by adding to their lead in the eighth. Using four hits and taking advantage of the Tobs first error of the game as well as a passed ball, the Pilots put up a three-spot to give themselves a five-run cushion heading to the ninth. Wilson tried to come back by loading the bases in the top of the ninth with no one out, but CF Ryan Mathews grounded into a double play (which pushed a run across the plate), and after a single by LF Joe Costigan plated another run, DH Tony Wieber grounded out to short to end the game.

The Tobs return home to Fleming Stadium tomorrow night to take on the Pilots yet again. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm. On the hill for Wilson will be LHP Tyler King (0-2), making his fourth start of the summer. Thursday is the final "Thirsty Thursday" of the summer, with 16 ounce domestic drafts priced at just $1.50, and fountain drinks available for just $1.25. Call the Tobs box office for tickets at 252-291-TOBS.

The Wilson Tobs are a proud member of the Costal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 15th season in 2011, the CPL features 15 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 families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both the players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 45 alums 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 (at cpleague).

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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 27, 2011


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