by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. – The Tri-City Chili Peppers (1-2) defeated the Wilson Tobs (3-1) 10-8 for their first win as members of the Coastal Plain League on Monday night at Shepherd Stadium.
The Tobs opened the scoring in the 1st to take a 1-0 lead on an RBI single by Logan Keller (Navy) that scored Zach Hogueisson (Tennessee Wesleyan).
Tri-City responded in the bottom of the frame with a two-RBI single by Hunter Gilliam (Longwood) to take a 3-1 lead.
Wilson tied the game 3-3 with two runs in the top of the 2nd inning. Logan Eickhoff (Eastern Illinois) singled in Riley Jepson (UT-Martin) for the Tobs first run. Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) followed and drove in Brainy Rojas (East Stroudsburg) on a single to even the score.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Chili Peppers right fielder Cade Swisher (Virginia Tech) stroked a two-run homerun to right field to put Tri-City back in front 5-3.
The Tobs responded in the next half inning with a solo homerun by Braedon Blackford (Purdue-Ft. Wayne) and trailed 5-4 into the bottom of the 3rd.
The Chili Peppers plated three runs in the 3rd on a bases clearing single by Tommy Crider (Belmont) to extend their lead to four runs.
Trailing 8-4 in the top of the 4th inning, Scaranda hit an opposite field two-run homerun to cut Tri-City’s lead in half. Later in the frame, Blackford grounded out to bring in Hogueisson and cut the lead down to one run. Jepson then tied the game 8-8 with an RBI single.
Chili Peppers centerfielder Wilson Galvan (Howard College) delivered the game-winning hit in the 8th inning when he drove in two runs on a base-hit off Tobs reliever Justin Guidos (East Stroudsburg). He gave Tri-City a 10-8 lead into the final frame.
Blackford led off the 9th with a single for Wilson, but Tri-City reliver Eli Parks (Liberty) slammed the door by striking out a pair of Tobs and secured his first save of the season.
Huntley Hacker (Brevard College) pitched 1.0 inning in relief for the Chili Peppers and got the win. He pitched a scoreless 8th inning with help from a double-play.
Guidos took the loss for Wilson pitching 3.1 innings. He allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits and finished the night with five strikeouts.
Scaranda finished the night 3-5 with a homerun and three RBIs.
Jepson went 3-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.
Tobs starting pitcher Darren Williams (Eastern Kentucky) pitched 3.0 innings and allowed eight runs on six hits.
Next up, the Tobs head to Hampton, Virginia on Tuesday to take on the Peninsula Pilots at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can stream the game on FloBaseball.TV or listen to the Tobs road radio broadcast on Mixlr by clicking here.
The Tobs return home to Historic Fleming Stadium on Thursday, June 3 against the Tri-City Chili Peppers at 7:10 p.m. Come out to the ballpark to enjoy $1 select beer on Thirsty Thursday as well as Whirligig and Chamber Night. Chamber members can purchase pre-ordered tickets for $2.
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.