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

WILSON, N.C. – Energized by a combined no-hitter on Sunday night, the Wilson Tobs (20-14) blew out the Carolina Pirates (3-16) 8-0 at Historic Fleming Stadium.

Nate Fiala (East Stroudsburg) started on the mound for the Tobs and started the night by fanning four batters through the first three innings.

Wilson took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd when Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler) drove in Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) on an RBI double off Pirates starting pitcher Alex Lebron (Southeastern CC).

Fiala added two more strikeouts to his tally in the 4th for six total Ks when he fanned Dillon Powers (Campbell) and Logan Price (Mount Olive) to end the frame.

In the bottom of the 4th, Tommy Gibson (Shepherd) hit a double to the top of the left field wall that drove in Logan Eickhoff (Eastern Illinois) for the first Tobs run of the frame. Garrett Browder (Davidson) followed at the plate with an RBI groundout to shortstop that plated Gibson to give the Tobs a 3-0 lead.

Trying to break-up the no-hitter in the 5th, the Pirates sent three pinch hitters to the plate. But Fiala made easy work of the inning by carving up his seventh and eighths strikeouts of the night.

Braedon Blackford (Purdue-Ft. Wayne) put the Tobs ahead 5-0 in the bottom half of the 5th on a two-RBI base knock scoring Scaranda and Drew DeVine (Western Michigan).

Hunter Hayes (Pacific) relieved Fiala in the 6th and carried the combined no-hitter to the middle of the frame by setting down the Pirates in order on two strikeouts.

Wilson put the game out of reach in the 6th with three runs to extend their lead to 8-0. Scaranda drove in Browder for the inning’s first run and Jepson capped off the scoring with a two-RBI base hit.

Hayes completed the combined no-hitter by pitching a scoreless 7th inning to secure the 8-0 win. He finished the night with 2.0 perfect relief innings on three strikeouts.

Fiala received the win pitching 5.0 no-hit innings on eight strikeouts. He allowed just two walks.

The loss went to Lebron. He gave up three runs on six hits in 4.0 innings pitched.

Jepson finished the night 2-3 with a double and three RBIs.

Scaranda, Blackford and Eickhoff each went 2-3 combining for three RBIs, three runs and three walks.

The Tobs return to Historic Fleming Stadium on Tuesday, July 13 on Faith and Family Night presented by Zaxby’s. Join the Tobs prior to first pitch against the Catawba Valley Stars at 7:00 p.m. ET. for pregame praise and worship, player testimonials, faith music and much more! Gates open at 6, so come early to also enjoy All You Can Eat Tuesday presented by Buffalo Wild Wings as well as Fan Favorite Trivia. Fans can stream the game on FloBaseball.TV or watch locally for free on Greenlight Channels 2 or 900-HD.

When the Tobs hit the road, listen to free radio coverage 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.