Updated July 02 2017
Morehead City Marlins right fielder Sammy Miller (Longwood) and left fielder Derek Olenchuk (Newberry) finish a combined 5-for-7 at the plate with a pair of runs scored in the contest; however, the Marlins fall to the visiting Wilmington Sharks by a score of 9-3 from Puck O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium Saturday evening. Wilmington tallied six of its nine runs all with two outs in the contest.
Morehead City concludes the first half of the regular season at 13-15 overall, while Wilmington improves to an identical record of 13-15. Both team finish the half tied at fourth place in the CPL East division standings. The Marlins travel to Edenton tomorrow night to face the Steamers from Historic Hicks Field. First pitch is slated for a 7:05 p.m. start.
Miller topped the MHC offensive charts, finishing 3-for-4 with one run scored. Olenchuk went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, including his first home run of the season with a solo shot in the second inning. For Wilmington, shortstop Luke Morgan (College of Charleston) finished 3-for-5 with a game-high three RBIs, while center fielder Justin Dean (Lenoir-Rhyne) posted a 3-for-4 mark with a trio of runs scored to lead all batters.
The Sharks struck first on a solo home run from first baseman Riley Knudsen (College of Charleston) followed by right fielder Dayton Dugas (Wichita State) scoring on a wild pitch to grab the early 2-0 advantage in the top half of the second inning.
Morehead City cut the deficit in half on the first home run of the season from Olenchuk to make it a 2-1 contest in the bottom of the second inning. Wilmington soon broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning when the Sharks tallied four runs all with two outs, highlighted by a RBI double from Morgan and a two-RBI double from Trevor McCutchin (Oral Roberts) to extend the advantage out to 6-1.
The Marlins responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the sixth inning on a RBI single from Olenchuk and Miller scoring on a fielder’s choice to trim the margin down to 6-3. Wilmington continued to produce offensively with three unanswered runs in the top of the seventh and eighth innings, including a pair of scores with two outs in the eighth to stretch the lead out to 9-3. Sharks right-handed pitcher Evan Brabrand (NC State) retired the Marlins in the ninth inning to secure the victory.
Wilmington starting right-handed pitcher Breydan Gorham (UNCW) got the win, improving to 3-1. MHC starting righty Patrick McDonald (Notre Dame) took the loss, falling to 1-3. The Marlins return home to Big Rock Stadium Monday night for an early Fourth of July celebration night at the ballpark, hosting the Wilmington Sharks. First pitch is slated for a 7:05 p.m. start with all the play-by-play action being called on the CPL Webpass. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:55 p.m. on the Marlins Radio Network.
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:Jackson Kaplan
Phone:919-208-3636