Updated July 21 2017
The team Lexington County plays the most in 2017 is the Florence RedWolves, but the last time these two teams played was nearly two weeks ago.
Friday night at Sparrow Stadium, the Blowfish set their sights on two straight wins. Lexington County got good starting pitching from TJ Shook (South Carolina) who went five innings of scoreless ball on just five hits. The Gamecock also struck out five RedWolves.
But the Wolves stormed back on the Fish late and walked off on Lexington County 4-3.
The Blowfish got the scoring going in the top of the third on an RBI single from Austin Wilhite (Georgia Tech). Lexington County led 1-0 until the top of the fifth.
In the fifth inning, the Blowfish extended their lead. Drew Ellis (Mt. Olive University) shot one through the hole on the right side that plated the game’s second run. 2-0 lead for the Blowfish lasted until the bottom of the eighth.
With two outs in the inning and one on, Logan McRae (College of Charleston) slammed a two run home run to left tying the ballgame at 2.
But the Blowfish came right back in the top half of the ninth. Mickey Dugan (Gardner-Webb) extended his hit streak to 9 games on a leadoff double to left field. After the double, Marshawn Taylor (Grambling State) brought him home with an RBI single that gave the Fish a 3-2 lead.
Lexington County turned to Jimmy Townsend-Chase (Western Michigan) to notch his third save of 2017 but the Wolves had other ideas.
Cornell Nixon (Eastern Kentucky) rolled a ball over the third base bag into the left field corner for extra bases. The ball was mishandled which allowed Nixon to advance to third after the double.
The very next pitch, Grayson Cottingham (Coastal Carolina) smacked an RBI single to center to tie the ballgame.
Florence them proceeded to load the bases with nobody out and the winning run 90 feet away.
After a fielder’s choice that cut down a run at the plate, Tanner Mann-Fix (Florence-Darlington Tech) shot a laser back up the middle to win the game and walk off on the Blowfish.
After the tough loss, Saturday night the Fish are back at home to finish out their week against Forest City. Coverage on z93.1 FM The Lake will begin at 6:45 and first pitch between the Blowfish and Owls is set for 7:05.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had over 1,450 alumni drafted and 111 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball..Contact:Brian Principe
Phone:803-254-3474