by James Stanley, Wilson Tobs Director of Media Relations and Broadcasting
WILSON, N.C. – The Wilson Tobs (9-7, 5-7 CPL) swept a doubleheader against the Holly Springs Salamanders (12-5, 9-5 CPL) on Thursday night at Historic Fleming Stadium taking game one 5-2 and game two 2-0.
The Salamanders entered the twin bill tied for first place with the Peninsula Pilots in the CPL East Division.
Game One
Wilson started the scoring in game one on a two-run bottom of the 1st inning. In his first at-bat of the season, Tobs shortstop Garry Mattis (Tennessee Wesleyan) gave Wilson a 1-0 lead by driving in Dylan Scaranda (Barton College) on a triple to left field. Mattis came around to score to extend Wilson’s lead to two runs on a Dusty Baker (Mount Olive) RBI groundout.
The Salamanders answered with a one-run top of the 2nd inning to trail 2-1. Tobs starting pitcher Dawson Smith (Kaskaskia College) gave up the run on an RBI single to Holly Springs catcher Mason Minzey (Ohio).
Tobs first baseman Riley Jepson (UT-Tyler) extended the Tobs lead back to two runs in the 4th on an RBI base knock.
Holly Springs cut Wilson’s lead to one run in the top of the 5th to trail 3-2 on a Tanner Roach (UT-Tyler) RBI base hit.
After stealing third base with one out in the 5th inning, Mattis gave the Tobs a 4-2 lead when he scored his second run of the night on an error charged to Mizney on a throw to third base.
Drew Devine (Western Michigan) added an insurance run for Wilson in the 6th to extend the Tob’s lead to 5-2 when he drove in Brainy Rojas (East Stroudsburg) on an RBI single.
In the 7th, Wilson reliever Justin Guidos (East Stroudsburg) struck out Roach to end the game and secure the win for the Tobs 5-2. Guidos earned the save pitching 3.0 innings in relief on three strikeouts. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk.
Smith earned the win for the Tobs in game one pitching 4.0 innings on five strikeouts in his first start of 2021. He allowed one run on two hits and four walks.
Game Two
Spearheaded by quality starting and relief pitching in game two, the Tobs threw a combined 7.0 inning shutout to win 2-0 over Holly Springs.
Jacob Myer (Purdue-Ft. Wayne) started for Wilson in the night cap and earned the win pitching 4.0 shutout innings on seven strikeouts. Myer’s seven-strikeout performance marked the most Ks by any pitcher against Salamanders hitting in 2021.
The Tobs jumped ahead 1-0 in the 3rd inning on a wild pitch thrown by Holly Springs starting pitcher Braydon Tucker (Indiana) that scored Tommy Gibson (Shepherd).
Baker added a run to the Tobs lead to put Wilson in front 2-0 in the 4th when he hit a solo homerun to right field.
Zeke Lecomte (Trevecca Nazarene) took over on the mound for Myer in the 5th inning. Lecomte recorded the save pitching 3.0 shutout innings on three strikeouts.
Tucker took the loss in game two allowing two runs on three hits in 3.0 innings pitched.
The Tobs hit the road on Friday in their third game of the season versus the Morehead City Marlins. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can stream Friday’s road game on FloBaseball.TV or tune-in for free radio coverage on Mixlr by clicking here.
The Tobs return home to Historic Fleming Stadium on Saturday, June 19 to take on the Wilmington Sharks in a doubleheader starting at 5:00 p.m. ET. The first contest on Saturday is a continuation of a game that was suspended by rain in Wilmington on June 12. The Sharks will take the field as the home team in game one boasting a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st. Game one will be played until the full completion of nine innings and game two will start 30 minutes after the completion the first game and will run seven innings. Join the Tobs for Mascot Mania and Slugger’s Birthday presented by Brandon Narron EXP Realty and S.T. Wooten Corporation. Gates open at 4:30. Fans who cannot make it to the doubleheader can stream both games on FloBaseball.TV or watch locally on Greenlight Channels 2 or 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.