Forest City Wins Thriller over Asheboro

Updated July 31 2017
FOREST CITY, N.C.

Forest City got a much-needed day off on Sunday before returning to action Monday to host the Asheboro Copperheads (19-31, 8-14).

The Owls (31-17, 12-9) fell behind early but they were able to muster the necessary hits to get the win, inching closer to clinching the number one overall seed in the west for the postseason.

The Copperheads got the lead in the 3rd inning on an RBI sacrifice fly by Derek Perry (Pfeiffer) that brought in Forest Kimbrell (NC A&T).

Their 1-0 lead was short-lived when the Owls came right back in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game on an RBI single by Connor Grant (North Greenville).

On the mound, Forest City looked to Tyler McAlister (Missouri State) to get the start. He tossed seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six batters.

McAlister allowed the second run in the 5th inning, as Asheboro reclaimed the lead on an RBI double by Perry. The Missouri State right-hander was able to maneuver his way out of jam, stranding two runners in scoring position.

In the 7th, McAlister moved his way out of a jam once again in the 7th, stranding two runners in scoring position for the second time in three innings.

It was good that he did too, because Forest City finally woke up offensively in the 7th to take their first lead of the night. The Owls got their lead on one swing of the bat, as Bradley Davis (Appalachian State) sent a two run homerun (2) to dead-center field, putting Forest City on top 3-2.

“I just saw a good pitch to handle, put a good swing on it and luckily it went out,” Davis said.

In the 8th, the Owls grabbed a huge insurance run as Seth Hoagland (Iona) hit an RBI sacrifice fly that brought in Grant to score, making it 4-2.

In the 9th, Kaleb McCurry (Mars Hill) took over out of the bullpen to replace Brandon Dusenberry (East Central) who pitched the 8th inning.

McCurry allowed the third Asheboro run before he had an out in the frame while the tying run moved into scoring position.

From there, the right-hander struck out the next two he faced before forcing a fly out to center, giving Forest City a 4-3 victory over Asheboro, taking a 6-2 season series lead.

The Owls return to action tomorrow as they take on the Lexington County Blowfish in a doubleheader on the road starting at 5:00 p.m. You can catch all the action on the Forest City Owls Radio Network.

To find out more about 2017 Owls playoff tickets or 2018 Owls Season Tickets, please contact the Owls Office at 828-245-0000 or visit the website at www.forestcitybaseball.com.

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:

Zachary Penrice

Phone:

828-245-0000