by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting

TARBORO, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (10-11, 0-1) drowned the Tarboro River Bandits (12-6) on Tuesday night at Tarboro Municipal Stadium, 12-4.

The Tobs struck for six runs in the top of the 1st to lead 6-0. Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler) started the scoring with an RBI groundout that plated Brainy Rojas (East Stroudsburg) for the Tobs first run of the night. Logan Eickhoff (Eastern Illinois) started a two-out rally with an RBI single that put Wilson up 2-0. Tommy Gibson (Shepherd) and Garrett Browder (Davidson) followed with back-to-back two-RBI hits that finished the six-run frame. Gibson’s hit was a two-RBI single off Tarboro starting pitcher Camden Noble (UNC-Greensboro) and Browder hit a two-run homerun to left field off Will Smith (UT-Martin). Smith entered the game in relief in the 1st inning after Noble sustained an injury during his battle with Gibson.

Zeke Lecomte (Trevecca Nazarene) started on the mound for the Tobs and pitched through the 3rd frame giving the Tobs 3.0 scoreless innings on three strikeouts while allowing just two hits. He was relieved by Michael Yuille (Barton College) in the 4th inning.

Yuille pitched the 4th and allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits for the River Bandits to shorten Wilson’s lead to 6-2. Michael Dolberry (Longwood) crossed home plate on a wild pitch for the River Bandits first run of the night. Ben Jones (Mineral Area College) stole third base, caused Browder to commit a throwing error on the stolen base attempt and scored when the ball sailed into left field.

Nate Fiala (East Stroudsburg) entered the game in the 5th inning to relieve Yuille and pitched scoreless 5th and 6th frames.

Tobs centerfielder Jared Carr (Shepherd) led off the 7th inning with a solo homerun to put Wilson in front 7-2. Eickhoff capped off the scoring in the frame by hitting a two-RBI single that plated Gary Mattis (Tennessee Wesleyan) and Jepson to give the Tobs some insurance runs in their 9-2 lead.

Fiala gave up a lead-off homerun to Ethan Fewell (Winthrop) as the River Bandits chipped away at the Tobs lead to trail 9-3 in the 7th.

Tarboro added another run in the 8th to trail 9-4 when Dolberry scored on a passed ball.

Gibson put the game out of reach with two outs in the 9th when he blasted a three-run homerun beyond the leftfield wall giving the Tobs the winning score, 12-4.

Fiala earned the win for Wilson allowing one run in 3.0 innings pitched on two hits. He fanned three batters in his relief outing.

Noble received the loss giving up five runs, all earned, on three hits and a walk in 0.2 innings pitched.

Gibson finished the night going 2-for-5 with five RBIs, a homerun and two runs scored. Both of Gibson’s hits came with two outs.

Browder went 1-for-5 with two RBIs on his first homerun of the season in the 1st inning.

The Tobs return home to Historic Fleming Stadium on Thursday, July 1 against the Peninsula Pilots at 7:00 p.m. ET. Join the Tobs for Thirsty Thursday presented by EmergeOrtho and Bojangles. Gates open at 6, so get to the ballpark early to enjoy $1 select draft beer as well as beer and drink specials. Fans should also arrive early to check out the Farm to Field Farmer’s Market. Can’t make it to Thursday’s game? Stream the game on FloBaseball.TV or tune-in on Greenlight Channels 2 or 900-HD.

Fans can listen to all Tobs road games for free on Mixlr by clicking here.

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.