Updated June 06 2017
The Peninsula Pilots split a doubleheader with the Edenton Steamers on Tuesday night at War Memorial Stadium.
A late two-run single by Drake McNamara (Southern Indiana) propelled the Pilots to a 5-4 Game 1 victory but a late rally was stuffed as the Pilots suffered their first loss of the season, 3-2, in the nightcap.
Edenton jumped on top first with three straight singles, the latter by Anthony Maselli (Boston College) to plate a run. The Steamers had a chance to push more runs across but Zach Clinton (Liberty) got a ground out to strand the bases loaded.
Despite not scoring first for the first time this season, the Pilots wasted no time in responding. Back-to-back singles by Scott Dubrule (Jacksonville) and Jack Owens (Virginia Tech) set up a Jonathan Embry (Liberty) two-run double down the right-field line to capture the lead. Later in the inning, a sacrifice fly by Drew Delsignore (Mercyhurst) scored Embry for a 3-1 Pilots lead.
Edenton cut the lead to one by scoring a run on a double play ball in the second inning.
Despite giving up seven hits in the first two innings, Clinton settled in to keep the Steamers off the board in the third and fourth innings.
The Steamers retook the lead by scoring two runs on a Pilots miscue in the fifth inning. Once again, the Pilots answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to retake the lead. A leadoff single by Logan Augustine (Lincoln Memorial) set up another Embry double to put two runners in scoring position. McNamara put the Pilots ahead for good with a two-run single to center field.
Ryan Fox (Virginia Commonwealthe) kept the Steamers off the board in the final two innings in his first appearance as a Pilot to earn the win. Clinton gave up two runs on seven hits and struck out two in four innings of work. Fox pitched the final three innings and gave up two runs while striking out three.
Nick Martinez (Flagler) took the loss for the Steamers giving up two runs and three hits and failing to retire a batter.
In the nightcap, Edenton jumped out to a two-run lead in the second inning. Jason Agresti (Binghamton) tripled to deep centerfield to start the inning. After a pop out, Tristen Carranza (New Mexico State) singled to right field to score Agresti for the first run of the game. Later in the inning, Carranza scored on an infield single by Will Robbins (Francis Marion) to push the lead to 2-0.
Edenton pushed the lead to 3-0 with an infield single Connor Kopach (Southern Illinois).
The Pilots started chipping away at the Steamers lead with a run in the sixth inning. Jack Morris (Liberty) singled to lead off the sixth inning. After a stolen base and advancing to third on a ground out, Morris scored on an Owens ground out for the first Pilots run of the ballgame.
In the seventh, the Pilots made things interesting off Steamers’ closer Carmen Giampetruzzi (Boston College). McNamara led off the inning with a double to left-center. Grant Maiorana (Virginia Tech), who came in to run for McNamara, came around to score on Augustine’s single up the middle. Chris Lehane (Jacksonville) came in to run for Augustine and advanced to second on a balk with one out. With the tying run at second with one out, Giampetruzzi secured his third save of the young season by striking out the two final batters.
Cody Maw (Charleston Southern) picked up the win for the Steamers after tossing five scoreless innings and striking out six. Vinny Tarantola (Virginia Tech) was charged with the loss after giving up three runs in 4 1/3 innings to fall to 1-1 on the season.
The Pilots host the Wilson Tobs on Wednesday night for Pirate Night! Wear your best pirate costume and you could win movie tickets. The orange City of Hampton tickets for Opening Day can be used for Wednesday’s game.
For more information regarding the season, please visit www.peninsulapilots.com. For up to the minute details on Pilots Baseball be sure to “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PeninsulaPilots. Also, be sure to download the Peninsula Pilots mobile app available for both iPhone and Android users! Use the #PilotsNation to spread the word about the Pilots!
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:Taylor Sherrill
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