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

WILSON, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (15-10, 10-10 CPL) ended the first half of the 2021 Coastal Plain League season on a high note defeating the Peninsula Pilots (17-5) on a 12-0 run-rule win on Sunday night at Historic Fleming Stadium. The Pilots entered the game as the first half CPL East Division champs.

The Tobs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the 1st inning on two hits off Pilots starting pitcher Nic Psimas (Virginia Tech). James Arakawa (Pacific) led off the frame with a double and was plated on an RBI groundout off the bat of Jared Carr (Shepherd).

Wilson added two more runs in the 2nd inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Arakawa struck again by hitting a sacrifice fly that scored Griffin Everitt (Nebraska) and Gary Mattis (Tennessee Wesleyan) drove in Dylan Scaranda (Barton) to give Wilson a three-run advantage.

The Tobs tabbed five runs on three hits in the 3rd inning to continue to pour runs on Peninsula. Zach Hogueission (Tennessee Wesleyan) hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0 Wilson. In his third plate appearance in the first three frames, Arakawa drove in Everitt for a second time with an RBI single that put the Tobs up 5-0. Carr followed by plating Scaranda on a sacrifice fly to centerfield for the third Wilson run of the 3rd. Arakawa made it 7-0 Wilson when he scored on the second passed ball of the frame charged to Pilots catcher Copper Hansen (Lamar). Drew DeVine (Western Michigan) capped off the scoring with an RBI base hit that brought Mattis to the plate extending Wilson’s lead to 8-0.

Tobs starting pitcher Peter Schaefer (Johns Hopkins) pitched well through the 5th inning by giving Wilson five scoreless frames on nine strikeouts.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, Car led off with a single and scored on the second RBI of the night for Mattis when he smacked a double into the right-centerfield gap. With the Tobs leading 9-0, Mattis scored Wilson’s 10th run on an RBI groundout hit by Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler).

Jon Beymer (Campbell) relieved Schaefer in the top of the 6th and pitched a scoreless frame despite giving up a two-out base hit to Zach Morris (Virginia Military Institute).

The run-rule went into effect in the bottom of the 6th when Scaranda blasted his fourth homerun of the season, a 367-foot shot to rightfield, that put the Tobs up 12-0.

Beymer sealed the 12-0 victory for Wilson in the 7th by pitching around a two-out Elijah Lambros (South Carolina) while striking out three Pilots in the inning. Beymer finished the night fanning four batters in 2.0 shutout innings of relief work in front of Major League scouts who made the trip to Wilson to see the 2019 Kansas City Royals Draft Pick perform with dominance.

Schaefer earned the win for the Tobs on way to receiving Coastal Plain League Pitching Line of the Night honors on 5.0 shutout innings, nine strikeouts and two hits allowed.

Psimas took the loss for Peninsula in his first start of the season. He allowed three runs on four hits and walked four batters.

Mattis received Coastal Plain League Offensive Line of the Night honors to complete the nightly award sweep for the Tobs. The NAIA Player of the Year went 3-4 with a double, a walk, two RBIs, two runs scored and three stolen bases.

Sunday night marked the second combined shutout of the season for Wilson pitching. The shutout lowered the Tobs team ERA to 3.57 – the second lowest team earned run average in the first half among all CPL teams.

The Tobs start the second half of the 2021 season on the road at the Peninsula Pilots on Monday. First pitch at War Memorial Stadium is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can stream all Tobs road games on FloBaseball.TV or can tune-in to free Tobs radio coverage 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.

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.