Updated July 26 2017
Casey Williams (Liberty) tossed a complete-game gem on Wednesday night, allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits, as the Tobs won 6-2 at Historic Fleming Stadium to snap a 4-game losing streak and beat the Edenton Steamers for the first time in 2017.
The Tobs moved to 5-12 in the CPL second half with the win, dropping Edenton back below .500 at 8-9.
Williams went the distance Wednesday, the longest start of the season by a Tobs pitcher. The righty from Liberty went to 3-4 on the season with the win. Williams pounded the strike zone all night with all of his pitches, allowing 2 runs (both earned) on 6 hits, striking out 4, walking two and hitting a man.
The only blemishes on the night for Williams came in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Edenton first baseman Anthony Maselli (Boston College) knocked a solo homer over the right field wall to tie the game at 1-1. the next inning, Steamer shortstop Paul Rufo (Binghamton) knocked an RBI double down the left field line, scoring William Robbins (Francis Marion) from first, who had reached after being hit by a pitch.
That’s all the Steamers would get on Wednesday.
Offensively, the Tobs got things started in the bottom of the first inning, when Dawnoven Smith (NC A&T) singled up the middle, scoring Brady Lloyd (ECU) from second, who had singled to lead off the game, making it 1-0 Tobs.
In the sixth, with the Tobs trailing 2-1, CJ Ballard (Georgia Southern) grounded a base hit up the middle and turned it into a hustle double ahead of the throw from Edenton center fielder James Battley (Illinois-Springfield). After an Edenton error allowed Ballard to advance to third, he was knocked in by AJ Hunt (NC A&T) as he lined a single into left, just under the glove of Edenton’s diving left fielder Billy Wilson (Loyola Marymount).
In the seventh, with the game tied 2-2, the Tobs would take the lead for good. In relief of Edenton starter Nick Wegmann (Binghamton) reliever Nick Martinez (Flagler) walked the first two men he faced, Shane Shepard (NC State) and Dawnoven Smith, respectively. After a sacrifice bunt from Chad Frazier (Concord) moved the runners to second and third, CJ Ballard had the knock of the night for the Tobs. The lefty knocked his third hit and second double of the game, a line drive down the right field line that scored both runners to give the Tobs a 4-2 lead. Two batters later, AJ Hunt came through again, grounding a single through the left side that scored Ballard and put the Tobs up by three, 5-2 heading to the eighth.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Tobs would add an insurance run, as Shane Shepard drove in Andre Nnebe (Santa Clara), who led off the inning with a single and then stole second base.
Williams then nailed down the final three outs in the ninth, giving the Tobs the win in front of the home fans for their fifth win of the second half.
The Tobs are back in action Thursday night for an away matchup with the Wilmington Sharks. First pitch from Buck Hardee field is set for 7pm as the Tobs go for back-to-back wins.
The Wilson Tobs enter their 21st season as an original member within the Coastal Plain League for the 2017 summer. The upcoming season for the Tobs will see an expanded community outreach effort, increased participation in helping the less fortunate and more exciting entertainment for the Wilson Community. We would like to dedicate each successful season to the Wilson Community, Coastal Plain League Organization, Host Families, Sponsors Partners and the Dedicated Fans throughout the city of Wilson. The Wilson Tobs have played host to over 100 alumni taken in the draft and have produced a dozen players who have gone on to play in the MLB, including Cy Young & MVP winner Justin Verlander. For more information on the Wilson Tobs, visit our website www.wilsontobs.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:- Will Hibbard
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