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

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (9-8, 5-8 CPL) fell short 8-6 to the Morehead City Marlins (10-4) on Friday night at Big Rock Stadium.

James Arakawa (Pacific) led off the game for Wilson with a base hit off Marlins starting pitcher Justin Kleinsorge (Regis). After stealing second base, Arakawa scored on a Drew Devine (Western Michigan) RBI single that put the Tobs in front 1-0 in the 1st.

In his first start for the Wilson Tobs, Peter Schaefer (Johns Hopkins) gave up a run in the bottom of the 2nd on a solo homerun to Zack Miller (Catawba College) that tied the game 1-1.

In the next frame, Miller continued to hit well against the Tobs and drove in another run to give the Marlins a 2-1 lead in the 3rd inning.

Wilson responded in the top of the 4th inning to tie the game 2-2 on an RBI single by Arakawa that scored Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler).

The Marlins exploded for six runs in the bottom half of the 4th to take an 8-2 lead they would never relinquish. With two outs and the bases loaded, Phillip Glasser (Youngstown State) started the scoring with a two-RBI single to give Morehead City the lead 4-2. Marlins left fielder Joe Mason (Mount Olive) followed with an RBI double and Miller finished the scoring by smacking his second homerun of the night to plate three runs. Wilson brought in Blake Helmstetter (Iona) out of the bullpen to record the final out of the 4th inning.

Gary Mattis (Tennessee Wesleyan) led off the 5th inning for the Tobs with his first homerun of the season to put Wilson behind 8-3. Later in the frame, Griffin Everitt (Nebraska) drove in Dusty Baker (Mount Olive) to cut the Marlins lead in half 8-4.

Wilson scored another unanswered run in the 6th to train 8-5 when Morehead City relief pitcher Colt Webb (Charleston) threw a wild pitch that scored Jared Carr (Shepherd).

Mattis hit his second homerun of the night on a solo shot to left field off Marlins reliever Brendan Bean (Pennsylvania) in the 8th inning to get the Tobs within two runs.

Bean overpowered Wilson in the 9th by striking out two Tobs on way to recording the save and securing the win for Morehead City 8-6.

Webb earned the win for the Marlins pitching 1.2 innings in relief. He allowed one run on two hits while fanning two batters.

Schaefer took the loss for Wilson by giving up eight runs on eight hits and three walks in 3.2 innings pitched.

Helmstetter pitched well for the Tobs in relief. He threw 4.1 shutout innings and recorded two strikeouts.

Miller ended the night 3-4 for Morehead City. He hit two home runs and drove in five runs on way to being given Coastal Plain League Offensive Line of the Night honors.

The Tobs return home to Historic Fleming Stadium on Saturday, June 19 to take on the Wilmington Sharks in a doubleheader starting at 5:00 p.m. ET. The first contest on Saturday is a continuation of a game that was suspended by rain in Wilmington on June 12. The Sharks will take the field as the home team in game one boasting a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. Game one will be played until the full completion of nine innings and game two will start 30 minutes after the completion the first game and will run seven innings. Join the Tobs for Mascot Mania and Slugger’s Birthday presented by Brandon Narron EXP Realty and S.T. Wooten Corporation. Gates open at 4:30. Fans who cannot make it to the doubleheader can stream both games on FloBaseball.TV or watch locally on Greenlight Channels 2 or 900-HD.

Wilson finishes the weekend with a game against the Peninsula Pilots on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET. Fans can join the Tobs for Cash Saver Sunday presented by T.L. Herring and StateFarm Jana Lake. Arrive to the ballpark early for $1 hotdogs, $2 nachos and $2 snocones. Gates open at 5. Fans who cannot make it to the game can stream the rivalry matchup on FloBaseball.TV or watch locally on Greenlight Channels 2 or 900-HD.

Fans can stream all Tobs road games on FloBaseball.TV or tune-in for 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.