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

WILSON, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (17-16, 7-6) won 16-3 via a run-rule decision over the Holly Springs Salamanders (20-17, 7-8) on Thursday night at Historic Fleming Stadium.

Wilson took control early by tabbing a 3-0 lead off Salamanders starting pitcher Alex Barker (Monmouth) in the 1st inning. Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) scored the first run on a wild pitch while Jacob McCaskey (California University of Pennsylvania) and Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler) scored the second and third runs on two errors charged to Holly Springs short stop Cash Young (Georgia College).

The Tobs put up five runs on five hits in the 2nd inning to extend their lead to 8-0. With one out, McCaskey drove in Logan Eickhoff (Eastern Illinois) on a fielder’s choice to start the scoring. Two batters later, Jepson put Wilson in front by five runs by doubling in Drew DeVine (Western Michigan) on an RBI. Brainy Rojas (East Stroudsburg) singled into right field to drive in two more Tobs while a third run scored on an error charged to Salamanders left fielder Baxter Halligan (Point Loma Nazarene) to end the scoring.

Holly Springs got on the board in the 3rd inning to trail 8-1 when Tobs starting Matt Kavanaugh (Nova Southeastern) gave up an RBI single to Young.

McCaskey and DeVine hit back-to-back RBI singles in the bottom of the 3rd to put Wilson up 10-1.

Eickhoff drove in the Tobs 11th run to lead 11-1 on a sacrifice fly in the 4th inning.

Bradley Wilbourne (Louisburg College) made his Tobs debut when he relieved Kavanaugh in the top of the 5th. He finished the frame by stranding two base runners while fanning one batter.

Wilson exploded with another five-run frame in the bottom half of the 5th to widen their lead to 15 runs by a score of 16-1. The scoring started on an RBI single off the bat of James Arakawa (Pacific). Garrett Browder (Davidson) delivered a two-RBI single to continue the scoring. Eickhoff followed with his second hit and RBI of the night extending Wilson’s lead to 15-1. With the bases loaded, Scaranda was hit by a pitch to finish the scoring earning his 20th RBI of the season to close out the scoring.

The Salamanders scratched across two runs in the top of the 6th to trail 16-3 on a two-run homerun off the bat of Jake Gitter (Coastal Carolina).

Nate Fiala (East Stroudsburg) pitched the 7th inning and secured the 16-3 run-rule win on a double play that ended the game. He finished the night on 1.0 scoreless inning pitched in relief.

Wilbourne got the win for Wilson pitching 1.0 scoreless relief inning on one strikeout while giving up one hit.

The loss went to Barker who gave up 10 runs, seven earned, on seven hits and five walks without recording a strikeout in his first start.

The Tobs finish up their season series with the Salamanders on Friday night in Holly Springs. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET at Ting Stadium. Fans can stream the game on FloBaseball.TV or listen to the game for free on Mixlr by clicking here.

The Tobs return home to Historic Fleming Stadium on Sunday, July 25 to take on the Wilmington Sharks at 6:00 p.m. ET. Join the Tobs for Christmas in July presented by Denny’s. Gates open at 5. Arrive early to take advantage of all the deals on Cash Saver Sunday sponsored by State Farm Jana Lake: $1 T.L. Herring hotdogs, $2 nachos and $2 snocones. Fans can stream the game on FloBaseball.TV or watch locally for free on Greenlight Channels 2 and 900-HD.

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.