Wilson, NC- The Tobs grabbed their first comeback win of the season Thursday night over the Holly Springs Salamanders by a final count of 6-5. The Tobs trailed 3-0 entering the fifth inning with only one hit but were able to score five unanswered runs.
Shane Rademacher was able to find a groove early in the first two innings, striking out four Salamanders but would give up his first earned run of the season in the third. Holly Springs would add two more in the fifth, one off a Wilson error on defense.
The Tobs bats were ice-cold entering the fifth frame. The member of the home team to claim a hit was Trey Paige all the way back in the first inning as the second batter. However, things would start to change for Wilson. Jean Lagreca walked to begin the frame and Jacob McCaskey and Trey Paige would both single to load the bases with one out. DH Matt Shark would tattoo a ball 411 feet on the first pitch of the at-bat to give Wilson the lead 4-3. The first grand slam of the season for the Tobs. Sam Daggers would add another run later in the inning as 10 Wilson batters made a plate appearance that inning.
Both teams would go scoreless in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings respectively, stranding runners here and there, but Holly Springs would not go away without a fight.
The visitors would score two runs in the top of the ninth to make Tobs fans hold their breathe. A leadoff bunt from Brett Callahan would eventually come around to score, and an un-earned run had the Wilson faithful and the edges of their seats. Evan Harris would strike-out the second to last batter, and Efry Cervantes would make the final throw from shortstop to first to end the game a little closer than most wanted. Tobs win at home 6-5.
Winning Pitcher: Halvorson (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Lee (1-1)
Save: E. Harris (1)
Box Score
The Tobs improve to 2-2 on the CPL season and they will travel to Wilmington to play the Sharks at 7:00 P.M. Friday night. Wilson will return home on Saturday for the annual “Beer and BBQ Festival” tickets are still available online through showpass.
The Wilson Tobs enter their 26th 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 Petitt 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 MLB draft and have produced over a dozen players who have gone on to play in the MLB, including Cy Young MVP winner Justin Verlander.