Mustangs top Salamanders in final road game

Updated August 07 2017
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C.

For the final time of the regular season, the Mustangs faced off against the Holly Springs Salamanders. After an early injury to the Martinsville starter James Nittoli the Mustangs rallied behind Chance Pauley who threw six strong innings. The Mustangs got just enough offense to push them to a 4-3 win in their final road game of the season.

The Mustangs send Nittoli to the mound for his final start of the summer. Nittoli only threw four pitches before leaving the game with shoulder tightness. Pauley, who was making his second start of the summer, settled in early and provided stability for the Mustangs.

Martinsville gave Pauley the offense he needed in the second inning. Salamanders starter Kameron Winburn allowed a leadoff walk to Zach Michalski and a double to Zach Weatherford to start the inning. Mustangs catcher Kyle Wilkie followed with an infield single and Michalski scored to give the Mustangs the lead.

With Martinsville leading 1-0, Emilio Abreu delivered the big blow. Winburn left a pitch over the plate and Abreu made him pay with a three-run homer over the left field wall. That was the fourth home run of the year for Abreu. Pauley and the Mustangs had a 4-0 lead to work with.

Winburn (2-1) went two innings while allowing the four earned runs.

Pauley held the Salamanders scoreless through the first four innings. In the fifth, Pauley allowed a couple of hits before an error allowed the first run to score. Adam Sisk followed with an RBI double and the Mustangs lead was down to two.

Pauley (1-0) finished with six strong innings while allowing two unearned runs and striking out six. Patrick Orlando took over for Martinsville and allowed a run in the seventh but ended the frame with a strikeout.

Meanwhile the Mustangs offense was being held in check by John Grigg who only allowed two hits over seven innings of relief.

Orlando got the first out of the eighth before Preston Szuch took over. Szuch who had dominated lefties all season came in with two lefties coming up and he got the next two outs to complete the inning.

With Martinsville leading 4-3 in the ninth, Connor Riley came in for the second consecutive night. Riley allowed a one out single but got Cory Wood to pop out. That left Tripp Shelton with the last chance for Holly Springs. Riley got ahead in the count and then pumped a fastball past Shelton to close the door.

With the win Martinsville clinched the season series from the Salamanders and improved to 23-31 while Holly Springs fell to 25-30. Martinsville will host Savannah for the season finale on Monday night.

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:

Nathan Loprete

Phone:

5404244426