Tobs Outlast Owls, 5-4
Published on July 2, 2011 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
FOREST CITY, N.C. - The Forest City Owls began the second half of the season on a sour note, falling to the Wilson Tobs, 5-4, in ten innings on Saturday night at McNair Field. The Owls are now 0-1 in the second half and 16-12 overall, while the Tobs boast a 1-0 second half record and improve to 16-13 on the season.
Andrew Brown (Akron) took the hill for Forest City. He tossed seven innings, allowing three runs (two hits) on six hits, striking out four batters and walking two. Tobs starter Clay Murphy (Missouri State) worked 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on two hits, striking out six Owls and walking five.
The Owls offense resembled a powder keg in the bottom of the first. The Owls brought home three runs in the opening frame. With runners on second and third and one out, 1B Eric Fisher (Arkansas) laced a single to center field, driving home DH Konstantine Diamaduros (Wofford) and SS Reed Harper (Austin Peay). On the very next at-bat 3B Danny Canela (N.C. State) ripped a double down the left field line, bringing Fisher trotting across the plate. The Owls took a 3-0 lead into the fifth inning.
The Tobs whittled down the advantage in the top of the fifth. With runners on first and second, SS Angelo LaBruna (Duke) laid down a bunt down the third base line. Canela's throw to first went awry, allowing 2B Alex Jones (Northern Illinois) to score all the way from first. The defensive mayhem let LaBruna advance to third inning. He would score on 3B Zac Mitchell's (Belmont) groundout. Wilson cut the lead to 3-2 after five complete.
The Tobs tied the game in the top of the sixth inning, when 1B Joe Costigan (Clemson) blasted a solo home run over the right field wall. Wilson finally pulled ahead in the top of the ninth inning, when LF Keith Morrisroe (Concord) smacked a single to right field, sending Jones home and putting Wilson ahead 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning.
The Owls responded, with their backs against the wall, in the bottom of the ninth frame. RF Axel Johnson (TCU) led off the inning with double. Two at-bats later, CF Buddy Sosnoskie (Francis Marion) blooped a double on the left-field line, scoring Johnson. Forest City had a chance to win the game in the ninth when they loaded the bases with only one out. However, Harper and Fisher both struck out, stranding all three ducks on the pond. The game was thrust into extra innings deadlocked at 4-4.
The Tobs scored again in the top of the tenth inning. Jones delivered the fatal blow, singling home pinch runner Jeffrey Bouton (North Carolina). The Owls went down in order in the bottom of the tenth inning, locking up the 5-4 victory in favor of Wilson.
Owls reliever Cody Poarch (Walters State) took his first loss of the season. Tony Wieber (Michigan State), who started the game at right field, recorded his second victory of the season. The Owls are now 1-2 in extra-inning games, while Wilson is 1-0 in such contests.
The Owls will enjoy a day off tomorrow. They return to action on Monday night at McCrary Park, when they will battle the Asheboro Copperheads for ownership of the 2011 First Half West Division crown and an automatic berth into the Petitt Cup Playoffs.
The Forest City Owls are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 15th season in the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 15th season, the Coastal Plain League 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 host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 44 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://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 July 2, 2011
- Tobs Outlast Owls, 5-4 - Forest City Owls
- Blowfish Lose in Ninth Against Fayetteville - Lexington County Blowfish
- Tobs Win 5-4 - Wilson Tobs
- Thomasville defeats the Daredevils 5-4 - High Point-Thomasville HiToms
- Fayetteville Rallies for 7-6 Win in Columbia - Fayetteville SwampDogs
- Steamers victorious over Petersburg - Edenton Steamers
- U.S.C. Alumni Announce Roster for Sunday's Game - Lexington County Blowfish
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