Grizzlies Sweep Florence, Advances To West Finals

Updated August 07 2015
GASTONIA, N.C.

The Grizzlies swept the best-of-three CPL West Division semifinals with an 11-4 victory over Florence in Game Two Thursday night at Sims Legion Park.

No. 2 Gastonia (33-25) advances to the West finals beginning Sunday against either No.1 Asheboro or No. 4 Lexington County.

The Grizzlies exploded for eight runs in the third inning to put the game out of reach for the No. 3 RedWolves, who knocked Gastonia from the playoffs in 2014.

Sammy Taormina (Liberty) went 2-for-3 with three RBI’s and Brooks Kennedy (North Carolina) was 2-for-4 with two RBI’s to lead the hitting attack.

Michael Royal (Georgia Gwinnett) pitched seven innings, scattering eight hits while allowing four runs with eight strikeouts and no walks for the postseason win on the mound.   

Winners of the CPL West Division first-half championship, Gastonia clinched a postseason berth on July 29. The Petitt Cup playoffs began Aug. 5 featuring the top eight teams in the league in best-of-three, first-round series with the higher seeds holding home-field advantage. 

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:

Derek Smith

Phone:

980-721-6472