Wilson, N.C. – A four-run 8th inning brought home the win at Historic Fleming Stadium for the Tobs (1-0) against the Tri-City Chili Peppers (0-1) to open Coastal Plain League play.

Braxton Stewart started off strong with 2 ⅓ innings allowing one run, striking out seven. The run came in the 3rd, for the Peppers only earned run of the night. The Tobs had four errors, allowing two unearned runs in the fourth.

The momentum shifted when the Tobs defense connected on a 2-4-2 caught stealing to nab Jayden Carter at the plate in the top of the 6th. It was all Tobs from that point forward.

The Tobacconists scored one in the 2nd, then went scoreless for three innings. Once they reached the Chili Peppers bullpen, it was a different story. A 2-run 6th tied it up 3-3 until a cosmic 8th inning where the Tobs exploded offensively. 

Dylan Van Meeteren (1-0) delivered a scoreless top of the 8th, and the Tobs’ offense answered in the bottom half of that frame. An inning that saw all nine Tobs come to the plate was capped off by a two-rbi single from Hunter Keen. 

Keen was named a Goldenleaf Building Co. Pump it Up Player of the Game, thanks to his 3-5 night at the plate and a brilliant defensive effort. Chase Waddell also took home Player of the Game honors, he was 2-4 with a steal, two RBIs and two runs. 

Casey O’Dell shut the door with a scoreless ninth with two punchouts.

The Tobs are back in action Saturday night against the Greenville Yard Gnomes. Scratch that, the Tater Hogs debut at Historic Fleming Stadium at the Barbeque Festival. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. 

Who’s ready to go HOG WILD?!