Wilmington Wins by Walk-Off in Wild 14 Inning Contest
June 24, 2015 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release
The Wilmington Sharks (12-11) picked up their third straight victory Tuesday night as they defeated the Fayetteville SwampDogs (9-13) in walk-off fashion by a score of 5-4 in 14 innings. After Fayetteville tied the game on a homerun in the top of the fourteenth, Kyle Nowlin tagged up on a deep fly ball from Jose Hernandez to bring across the winning run in the bottom of the same inning.
Wilmington jumped out to a 3-0 lead as Sharks starting pitcher Hunter Smith cruised through the SwampDogs lineup twice without much hesitation, but hit a rough patch in the fourth. Austin Upshaw tripled down the line and was driven home by Garrett Gandolfo. Overall, Smith had a remarkable night on the mound, going 7 1/3 innings, two runs on three hits, striking out nine and walking none.
Fayetteville tied the game in the eighth, plating two runs on a Sharks error, a sacrifice bunt, and two doubles.
The game remained tied until the top of the fourteenth inning when Fayetteville center-fielder Zak Orrison homered to put the SwampDogs on top.
Trailing one and heading to the home half of the fourteenth, Coaches Bangs and Wingo called the team together outside the dugout for a brief conversation and the Sharks left an energized bunch. Back-to-back singles by Destino and Nowlin would force a pitching change, and Fayetteville rolled out their eighth pitcher of the night.
Gavin Stupienski drew a walk to load the bases, still with nobody away. Alex Raburn dug in and grounded to the shortstop, but Matt Whatley (pinch running for Destino) beat the throw to the plate to tie the ballgame 4-4. The next batter, pinch-hitter Jose Hernandez, drove the ball deep to right, allowing Nowlin to tag from third and win the game. Tuesday night's contest was Wilmington's longest game of the season.
As a team, Wilmington knocked 15 hits, tied for the most of the summer. Kyle Nowlin and Gavin Stupienski each had three hits, while infielders Sam Foy, Alex Raburn, and Matt Meeder each added two of their own.
After playing 28 innings of baseball in two days, the Sharks will enjoy the day off Wednesday before the Asheboro Copperheads come to town for their first and only meeting of the 2015 season. For tickets, call 910-343-5621 or email tickets@wilmingtonsharks.com.
Coastal Plain League Stories from June 24, 2015
- Wilmington Wins by Walk-Off in Wild 14 Inning Contest - Wilmington Sharks
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