Updated July 14 2017
SAVANNAH, G.A.- In the top of the ninth with bases loaded and two outs, Tyler Webb singled to right center to drive in a run and Masen Hibbeler was thrown out at the plate to end the game 6-5 in dramatic fashion at Grayson Stadium Friday night against the Savannah Bananas.
Trailing 6-2 entering the top of the ninth inning the Florence RedWolves (19-17, 5-3) sent eight to the plate and presented the go ahead runs, but was cut off just at the last second. Savannah (17-17, 4-3) went to the bullpen in the 9th inning for Taylor Cox, who was only able to record one out in the inning while relenting three runs on one hit and three walks.
Riley King and Jim Wagner drew back-to-back walks to start things off. After a groundout moved both runners into scoring position, Storme Cooper shot a double down the right field line to bring Florence within two runs, 6-4. Leadoff batter Masen Hibbeler also drew a walk that led to another Bananas pitching change. Spencer Hynes toed the rubber next, and walked Zach Jacobs to place the go-ahead runner on first.
With two outs, the bases loaded and down by two runs, Tyler Webb lifted a soft liner into right-center. Cooper scored on the play easily to bring the game within a run. Rounding third hard and charging for home, Masen Hibbeler’s head-first dive towards the plate was dusted off by a good throw from Savannah’s right fielder, ending the game 6-5.
Florence scored first in the contest pushing two runs across in the opening frame. Hibbeler zipped around the bases as he railed a leadoff triple off the double wall in right field. With one out Clay Casey drove Hibbeler in on a base hit to left field to take the lead, 1-0. After a fielder’s choice and a throwing error to put runners in scoring position, Matt Beaird walked to load the bases. King stepped in and picked up an RBI on a walk of his own to make it a 2-0 contest.
Savannah responded in the bottom of the second inning putting up a four-spot on RedWolves starter John Michael Stephens (3-1). John Cassala led off on a single while Brocato walked. After a strikeout, Garrett Nelson dribbled a grounder out in front of home. Catcher Mason Meadows ended up throwing the ball into right field that scored a run and put the runners on the corners after the error. Utah Jones then tied the game on a RBI base hit to centerfield. Jake Howard followed suit taking the lead 3-2 on a hit back up the middle. Logan Mattix grounded out to short driving in the fourth run of the inning to put Savannah up two, 4-2.
The Bananas added a run in each the sixth and seventh innings to extend the score to 6-2. Jones was driven in on a Logan Mattix single after having reached on an infield base hit himself. In the seventh Matt Pita opened the inning with a line drive to left. Bryce Fischer issued a pinch-hit double to right field, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch, scoring Pita to make it 6-2.
Elliot Forde (3-2) provided a good start for Savannah throwing 6.0 innings of three-hit, two run baseball, issuing three walks, but struck out eight.
Florence will play the Savannah Bananas at home on Saturday, July 15th. It will be the rescheduled date for their Autism Awareness Night. Turn the stadium blue. Support Autism and wear your favorite blue shirt. Autism Awareness jersey auction sponsored by Florence Neurosurgery and Spine. Bid on special player worn jerseys with 100% of the proceeds going to our local Autism group, All 4 Autism. It will also be the Pepsi Game of the Week. Visit www.florenceredwolves.com for more information and tickets.
- 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:
Audie Wise
Phone:(843)-629-0700