by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (14-10, 9-10 CPL) stretched their win-streak to four games on Saturday night against the Holly Springs Salamanders (12-9) on a 7-1 win at Ting Stadium.
Gary Mattis (Tennessee Wesleyan) opened the scoring in the top of the 1st with a two-run home run off Salamanders starting pitcher Isaac Coffey (Oral Roberts) to give Wilson a 2-0 lead.
Wilson scored three runs during a two-out rally in the 4th inning to extend their lead to 5-0 over Holly Springs. James Arakawa (Pacific) started the scoring with an RBI single and Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) finished the scoring by plating two Tobs on a base hit.
Tobs starting pitcher Jake Lewis (Eastern Kentucky) no-hit the Salamanders through the first three innings until the 4th when he gave up a one-out double to Ryan Nicholson (Cincinnati). Lewis finished his start recording 4.0 scoreless one-hit innings on four strikeouts before being relieved by Braxton Bragg (Nebraska) in the bottom of the 5th.
The Tobs plated two runs in the 7th to widen their lead to 7-0. Zach Hogueisson (Tennessee Wesleyan) hit an RBI double down the right field line to score the first run and Tommy Gibson (Shepherd) drew a bases loaded walk to bring in the second run of the frame.
Holly Springs broke up the Tobs bid for a shutout in the bottom of the 7th on a Cash Young (Georgia) sacrifice fly to trail 7-1.
Steven Worley (Mount Olive) pitched a scoreless 8th inning in relief on two strikeouts.
Tobs reliever Nolan DeVos (Davidson) allowed no runs on one hit and one walk in the 9th while striking out three batters on way to securing the 7-1 win for Wilson.
Bragg got the win for the Tobs pitching 3.0 innings in relief. He allowed one run on three hits and recorded three strikeouts.
Coffey took the loss for Holly Springs. In 3.2 innings pitched the Tobs rocked him for five runs on seven hits.
The Tobs return home to Historic Fleming Stadium on Sunday, June 27 against the Peninsula Pilots to wrap up the first half of the season. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. ET with gates opening at 5 for the ninth annual Home Run for Hunger Celebration Game. Fans can receive free admission to the game on Sunday in exchange for canned non-perishable food items. Wilson County residents who are unable to attend Sunday’s game can still provide help by dropping off donations through Sunday. The Wilson Tobs Home Run for Hunger is an established project that aims to feed the hungry throughout Wilson County. The Tobs goal is to collect and distributing non-perishable food items for the local Wilson County food pantries to help those that are less fortunate and those in need. We hope that everyone can find it in their hearts to donate to this wonderful cause that means so much to Wilson County and allows Wilson to help Wilson. The Tobs are also accepting monetary donations at https://WilsonTobs.com/community-events/home-run-for-hunger/. Fans who cannot make it to Historic Fleming Stadium can watch the game on FloBaseball.TV or locally on Greenlight Channels 2 or 900-HD.
All Tobs road games can be streamed on FloBaseball.TV or fans can tune-in to free Tobs 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.