Updated July 06 2017
After a delayed start due to inclement weather, the Florence RedWolves did not let that affect them, as John Michael Stephens provided a quality start and picked up his third win of the season with the help of the bats behind him in a 7-2 win over the Lexington County Blowfish at Sparrow Stadium Wednesday night.
Trailing the Blowfish (10-20, 1-2) 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Florence (15-13, 2-0) responded soundly and didn’t look back scoring three in the inning. With two outs Cornell Nixon led off the charge beating out a bunt for a hit to the left side. Logan McRae drew a pinch hit, 13-pitch walk and Zach Jacobs followed with an RBI double to right to tie the game. A hot-hitting Clay Casey stood in and scored both McRae and Jacobs on a single up the middle to take the 3-1 lead.
The RedWolves added to their lead scoring four runs in the fifth, taking advantage of Lexington County’s bullpen. Will Smith took over for Tate Gillespie (2-2) in the bottom of the fifth. Smith walked the first two batters he faced and was relieved himself by Bo Gobin. The first batter Gobin faced in Riley King, singled to right field to drive in the fourth run on the night. Christian Flint stood in next and drew a walk and picked up an RBI as well. After a fielder’s choice tabbed the lead runner at the plate for the second out, McRae walked leading to another run and Jacobs sent a sacrifice fly to center to make it 6-1. Casey, again added to his runs batted in column, sending a base hit to right field bringing the score to 7-1.
Lexington County did plate a run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI double by Zach Spivey. Riley Hogan singled and moved to second on a stolen base before Spivey’s hit.
John Michael Stephens whirled seven fantastic innings for the RedWolves in his second start of the season. The towering left-hander from the University of New Orleans struck out six and walked two, giving up two runs on ten hits on the night.
Peyton McLemore entered in the eighth and closed down the final two frames while picking up a strikeout and walking one.
Florence will head out on the road Thursday, July 6th to take on the Savannah Bananas at 7pm. For more information and tickets visit www.florenceredwolves.com.
- RedWolves -
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: Phone: