by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting
HAMPTON, Va. – The Peninsula Pilots (18-5, 1-0) defeated the Wilson Tobs (10-11, 0-1) by a score of 5-1 on Monday night at War Memorial Stadium in the first game of the second half of the 2021 Coastal Plain League season.
Pilots starting pitcher Jay Cassady (Christopher Newport) gave up a leadoff single to James Arakawa (Pacific) to start the game. Arakawa then put Wilson in front 1-0 in the 1st when he scored on an RBI groundout off the bat of Gary Mattis (Tennessee Wesleyan).
The Pilots responded with a three-run bottom of the 1st inning off Wilson starting pitcher Paul Sullivan (Iona). Peninsula catcher Justin Starke (Virginia Military Institute) started the scoring by giving his team a 2-1 lead on a two-RBI single. Trevon Dabney (James Madison) made it 3-1 Peninsula with an RBI base hit that scored Starke.
Hunter Hayes (Pacific) relieved Sullivan to start the bottom of the 4th. He was unable to finish the inning after sustaining an injury on a wild pitch that allowed a run to score giving the Pilots a 4-1 advantage. Justin Guidos (East Stroudsburg) pitched in relief for the injured Hayes and ended the 4th inning by getting Peninsula first baseman Erik Stock (Connecticut) to flyout to right field.
Alden Mathes (Richmond) added an insurance run for the Pilots in the 8th inning extending their lead to 5-1 on an infield RBI single.
Michael Falco (St. Joseph’s) closed out the game for Peninsula pitching a scoreless 9th inning to secure the 5-1 win for the Pilots.
Cassady earned the win pitching 5.0 inning in his start for the Pilots. He allowed one run, that was unearned, on four hits while recording three strikeouts.
Sullivan took the loss for Wilson allowing three runs on four hits in 3.0 innings pitched.
Guidos finished the night pitching 2.1 scoreless relief innings on one strikeout.
The Tobs head to Tarboro, North Carolina on Tuesday night to take on the Tarboro River Bandits in non-CPL action at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can listen to the game for free on Mixlr by clicking here.
The Tobs return home to Historic Fleming Stadium on Thursday, July 1 against the Peninsula Pilots at 7:10 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.
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.