by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting
WILSON, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (1-0) overcame a three-run deficit on Thursday night to defeat the Wake Forest Fungo (0-1) 8-3 in their 2021 season opener at Historic Fleming Stadium.
The Fungo jumped on Tobs starting pitcher Matt Kavanaugh (Nova Southeastern) in the 1st inning to take a 3-0 lead on two hits by Josh Hoffman and Thomas Fox.
Wilson chipped away at the Wake Forest lead to trail 3-2 in the 3rd inning on a Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) home run to right field off Fungo starter Jayson Arendt.
Braedon Blackford (Purdue-Fort Wayne) drove in Zach Hogueisson (Tennessee Wesleyan) and Logan Eickhoff (Eastern Illinois) with a two-RBI single in the 5th inning giving the Tobs the lead, 4-3. Blackford finished the night 1-1 with three RBIs and four walks.
Wilson extended their lead to 7-3 in the 6th inning by taking advantage of four wild pitches and a bases loaded walk by Fungo reliever John Hobgood.
Tobs relief pitching was dominant in the 4th through 6th innings retiring eight straight Fungo hitters on strikeouts. As a staff, Wilson recorded 14 strikeouts.
Justin Guidos (East Stroudsburg) got the win for Wilson in 2.0 innings of relief work. He faced six batters and retired all six with strikeouts.
Tristan Purser took the loss for Wake Forest giving up two runs on two hits and four walks.
Arendt ended his start after 3.0 innings pitched with five strikeouts and two runs allowed on two hits.
Kavanaugh finished the evening pitching 2.0 innings and allowing three runs on three hits. He struck out three batters and walked two.
The Tobs take on the High Point Locos on Friday night at Historic Fleming Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Wilson Tobs enter their 25th season as a founding member of the Coastal Plain League. The upcoming season for the Tobs will see community outreach, increased participation in helping the less fortunate, a Pettit Cup Championship team, and more exciting entertainment than ever before. We would like to dedicate each successful season to the Wilson Community, Coastal Plain League Organization, Host Families, Corporate Partners, and the Dedicated Fans.
The Wilson Tobs have played host to over 100 alumni taken in the draft and have produced a dozen players who have gone on to play in the MLB, including Cy Young MVP winner Justin Verlander. For more information on the Wilson Tobs, visit our website www.wilsontobs.com.