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

WILSON, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (21-14) navigated an 8-7 come-back win over the Catawba Valley Stars (1-9 vs CPL) on Tuesday night at Historic Fleming Stadium.

The Stars rocked Tobs starting pitcher Sebastian Martinez (Anderson) for four runs in the top of the 1st inning to take a 4-0 lead. Anthony Jarvis (Glenville State College) started the scoring with an RBI double, Wayne Mize (Wake Technical CC) plated the second run with an RBI base hit and Josh Cain (Transylvania) finished the scoring by driving in two runs on a double.

Catawba Valley starter Colton Locklear (Surry CC) was unable to make it out of the 1st inning when the Tobs tabbed him for three runs on two hits. Tommy Gibson (Shepherd) led off the frame by belting a 404-foot homerun to right-centerfield. With two outs, the Tobs took advantage of a wild pitch and one of two errors charged to Stars third baseman Parker Lester (Miami University) to score their final two runs of the inning to trail 4-3.

Lester found redemption at the plate in the 3rd inning by hitting an RBI single that gave the Stars a two-run advantage, 5-3.

With two outs and runners at the corners in the top of the 4th, Tommy Cruz (Abilene Christian) and Blake Buzzeo (Miami University) executed a double steal to extend the Star’s lead to 6-3.

The Tobs plated two runs in the 4th inning to trail 6-5. Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) drove in the first run on an RBI groundout to second base. Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler) cut the deficit to one run by scoring on one of eight wild pitches thrown by Stars pitchers on Tuesday night.

Tanner Brandon (Bluefield State College) answered the Tobs two-run bottom of the 4th by hitting a solo-shot to centerfield to lead off the top of the 5th. He extended Catawba Valley’s lead back to two runs, this time 7-5.

The Tobs scored three runs in the bottom of the 6th to take their first lead of the night. Logan Eickhoff (Eastern Illinois) led off the frame by reaching first base on a dropped-third strike. James Arakawa (Pacific) followed by delivering a pinch-hit RBI single that forced the Stars to go to their bullpen with the tying-run at second base and the go-ahead run coming to the plate. Genner Cervantes (Abilene Christian) relieved Robby Arnett (Transylvania), but was taken deep on a ball blasted by Scaranda 422-feet to right field that put the Tobs in front 8-7.

Wilson reliever Zeke Lecomte (Trevecca Nazarene) closed out the 7th inning on two strikeouts following a 1-2-3 frame in the 6th on a pair of Ks. He got the win pitching 2.0 innings on four strikeouts while allowing one base-hit.

Cervantes took the loss allowing one run on one hit in 1.0 inning pitched.

Martinez finished his first start of the season allowing five runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings.

Locklear’s start ended after 0.2 innings pitched. He gave up three runs, one earned, on two hits, one walk and four wild pitches in the 1st inning.

Arnett’s night came to a close after recording 1.0 inning pitched in relief. He allowed two runs on one hit.

On Wednesday, the Tobs resume Coastal Plain League play in Colonial Heights, Virginia versus the Tri-City Chili Peppers. First pitch at Shepherd Stadium is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can stream the game on FloBaseball.TV or listen to free radio coverage on Mixlr by clicking here.

The Tobs return to Historic Fleming Stadium on Thursday, July 14 to take on the CPL East Division First Place Morehead City Marlins at 7:10 p.m. Et. Join the Tobs for Thirsty Thursday with select $1 drafts as well as drink specials all night long. Current and former service members can receive free admission to Thursday night’s game as the Tobs pay tribute to our Nation’s heroes on Military & Local Heroes Appreciation Night presented by the U.S. Army, Wilson Community College, Medlin Buick GMC Mazda and First Media Radio. Gates open at 6. Can’t make it to Thursday night’s game? Watch it on FloBaseball.TV or for free locally 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.