by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting
HAMPTON, Va. – Aided by four Tobs errors on Friday night, the Peninsula Pilots (3-0) defeated the Wilson Tobs (3-3, 0-3 CPL) at War Memorial Stadium 7-4.
The game started at 9 p.m. ET following a two-hour rain delay.
The Tobs got off to a hot start rocking Peninsula starting pitcher Robert Cook (Virginia Wesleyan) for three runs in the 1st inning on three hits. Logan Keller (Navy) started a two-out rally for Wilson on a base hit followed by a consecutive single by Jared Carr (Shepherd). Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler) then drew a walk to load the bases for Andrew Fleming (Wright State) who cleared the bases with a double to put Wilson up 3-0.
Taking advantage of three errors in the bottom of the 1st, the Pilots scored twice to trail 3-2. Zac Morris (Virginia Military Institute) capped off the scoring with an RBI double off Tobs starting pitcher Jacob Myer (Purdue-Ft. Wayne).
Peninsula scored three more runs in the 2nd to take a 5-3 lead. With two outs, Justin Starke (Virginia Military Institute) hit a double to drive in two runs and scored the fifth Pilots run of the night. After stealing third base, he came in to score on a throwing error by Tobs catcher Chase Wullenweber (Tusculum).
Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) led off the 4th inning with the first Tobs triple of the season. Dusty Baker (Mount Olive) followed with an RBI double that scored Scaranda to bring Wilson within striking distance of Peninsula 5-4.
The Pilots responded with one run in the bottom of the 4th to lead 6-4 on a Mason Dunaway (James Madison) RBI single.
Peninsula left fielder Trevon Dabney (James Madison) put the Pilots up 7-4 in the 8th when he scored on an RBI groundout by Alden Mathes (Richmond).
Carmine Poppiti (James Madison) got the win pitching five innings in relief for Peninsula. He allowed no runs on one hit and one walk while fanning nine batters to end the night.
Myer took the loss for the Tobs. He pitched 4.1 innings and allowed six runs, three unearned, on 10 hits and two walks.
Cook finished the night pitching 3.0 innings on four strikeouts. He allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk.
Next up, the Tobs return to Historic Fleming Stadium on Saturday, June 5 to take on the Tri-City Chili Peppers at 7:00 p.m. ET. Gates open at 6 for the 2021 Beer and BBQ Festival, so arrive early and come to the beer garden to enjoy samples from craft beer vendors and unlimited barbeque. Fans can stream the game on FloBaseball.TV or watch locally on Greenlight Channel 2 or 900-HD.
Follow the Tobs when they hit the road and listen to their games for free 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.