Forest City, NC — For the first time in franchise history the Tobs are the champions of the CPL. Wilson came from behind to stun the Forest City Owls, winning 10-9.

It was a thrilling contest that the Owls once led 9-1. A pair of two-run homers in the 5th inning from Jaden James and Cade Fuller gave Forest City its largest advantage of the game. Down eight runs in game two with a game three potentially looming, most teams would look ahead. Not this team.

As head coach Ted Bergquist scanned the dugout for Luke Ridley – who delivered five innings of one-hit ball and eight srikeouts in game 1 vs Peninsula – to discuss game three plans on the mound, Ridley shut him down.

“I’m not pitching tomorrow coach,” Ridley told Bergquist. “We’re winning this game.”

As the rain began to fall in Forest City, the Tobs started to rally.

Wilson scored two in the 6th inning and two in the 7th inning to draw within four, but it was the 8th inning that will be remembered. Four walks and a dropped-third strike had two runs in and the bases loaded for Chase Waddell — who earned the nicknamed “Hometown Hero” over his three seasons in Wilson.

“It could be no more fitting than a young man from Wilson to come up with the bases loaded,” said head coach Ted Bergquist of the game’s fairy tale nature.

The Tobs were down two and Waddell lined a bases clearing double into the right center field gap to put the Tobs in front. A lead they would take to the end.

“They but some big numbers up on the scoreboard, but I knew if we just kept scratching we would get back in it,” said Waddell after the championship-clinching out. “The game lined up where I got back up [to bat] in a big spot, and he threw me the first fast ball and I took it.

“I knew it’d be over if he threw me another one. And he did.”

Zac Martin turned in his best outing of the season in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and striking out five to get Wilson from the 6th through the 8th.

Casey O’Dell nailed down his fourth save of the postseason in thrilling fashion, with Thad Ector securing the final out and igniting a massive celebration at McNair Field. It was O’Dell’s 12th save of the season, a team record.

“I told Chase when we got off the bus, in six hours we’re going to be hugging,” O’Dell said, hinting at the Tobs’ unwavering confidence despite an eight-run deficit.

Wilson finished the season on a club record 13-game win streak; claiming its first Petitt Cup in franchise history.