WILSON, N.C. – Led by AJ Jones’ perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate and Luis Hernandez’s two-run triple, the Wilson Tobs (13-8) picked up a much-needed victory in a 4-3 narrow defeat of the Morehead City Marlins (14-7) on Thursday evening at Historic Fleming Stadium.

The win moved Wilson to just a game back of first place in the Coastal Plain League (CPL) East Division, with just three games remaining in the First Half of play.

The Tobs were paced by a solid start from the right-hander Connor Caporale, who tossed four innings of two-run ball in the one-run victory. Wilson then received scoreless appearances from the tandem of Ryan Corbett, Caleb Clark, Jonah Milchuck and Zach Davidson – who picked his 2023 campaign.

The scoring got started early in the home half of the first. The Hernandez two-run triple gave Wilson the early 2-0 advantage, and then a Scott Mackiewicz RBI single made it a 3-0 ballgame as we headed to the third. With the game being knotted up at three as entered the bottom of the eight, a Connor Price go-ahead single then put the Tobs ahead for good, giving Wilson a 4-3 lead and allowing Davidson to slam the door.

It’s a big-time win for the Tobs – who have now put themselves in a position to capture the First Half crown in the CPL East. A doubleheader against the Wilmington Sharks looms tomorrow at Buck Hardee Field. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.

Play will pick up from the previously suspended meeting with the Sharks scoreless in the top of the second, and then a seven-inning game will immediately follow.