Tobs Win in Wild Affair
June 3, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilson Tobs News Release
WILSON, N.C. - The Wilson Tobs earned their first Coastal Plain League victory of the season as Wilson defeated the Petersburg Generals 4-3.
A solid crowd of over 1,000 packed Fleming Stadium to watch and enjoy the first Throwback Thirsty Thursday of the year. It was also Miller Lite 80s Night at the park, presented by Coastal Beverage Co.
The game opened with a bang when Jimmy Latona (Mercyhurst) crushed the first pitch he saw out of the ballpark for a leadoff homerun. Three batters later, Conner Leonard (Appalachian State) sent a moonshot out of the yard to make it 2-0.
After the first inning rally, the Tobs settled in behind start Zack Kelly (Newberry). Kelly (5.2ip, 6k) pitched a dandy through five innings. He did not give up a hit until the sixth inning.
After Calvin Scott busted up the no-hitter, the Generals proceeded to push across three runs on back-to-back knocks, taking the lead 3-2.
Wilson held firm behind the pitching of Brandon Vogler, who again gave the Tobs a solid two innings of relief pitching. However, the offense could not break through.
Finally, Leonard batted a single in the eighth inning followed by an Andrew Webster (Barton) knock to push a runner into scoring position.
Chad Frazier, who was batting 1.000 coming into the game, then ripped a RBI single that plated Leonard and tied the game. Frazier is still among Tob leaders in batting average.
Jake Jones (North Georgia) came in to close in the ninth inning and did marvelously, earning two strikeouts.
In the bottom of the ninth, Willie McRae reached base on a mishandled grounder by the Petersburg first baseman. Then on a 1-0 count, McRae broke for second base and slid in under the tag of short stop Wesley Drain.
With Jimmy Latona at the plate, Generals hurler Cody Davenport (Central Arkansas) spiked a breaking ball in the dirt that got by catcher Cody Doyle.
Two pitches later, Doyle saw a pitch ricochet of his shin pad and Willie McRae came in to score, winning the ball game 4-3.
The Tobs move to 1-1 in the CPL while Petersburg is still searching for their first CPL win. The Tobs next face Peninsula from War Memorial Stadium at 7:00 p.m. before returning home to see Morehead City on Saturday.
You can listen to the Peninsula game on our Ustream page here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/9KyyMLA9FDu
It'll be the 5th Annual Beer and BBQ Festival on Saturday, June 4. You don't want to miss out on one of the tastiest events of the year.
• Discuss this story on the Coastal Plain League message board...
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 3, 2016
- Sharks Drop 3rd Straight - Wilmington Sharks
- Pilots Romp Tobs in Home Opener - Peninsula Pilots
- Blowfish Win Third in a Row; Surge Past Grizzlies - Lexington County Blowfish
- Tobs Add Double-Header on Saturday - Wilson Tobs
- Late Rally Falls Short for Grizzlies - Gastonia Grizzlies
- Tobs Win in Wild Affair - Wilson Tobs
- Blowfish Spoil Bananas' Inaugural Home Opener with 8-5 Win - Lexington County Blowfish
- Peninsula Walks Past Edenton - Edenton Steamers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
