RedWolves Play Close, Drop Both Contests in Doubleheader

Updated June 28 2017
SAVANNAH, G.A.

In what seems to be a recurring trend, the Florence RedWolves found themselves in a hole and could not find themselves a way out, twice. On Wednesday afternoon at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, Florence dropped their eighth and ninth straight games in 5-2 (game one), 4-2 (game two) losses to the Bananas.

Florence (13-9) jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second inning from a Muta Crusoe RBI double. Masen Hibbeler walked to lead off the inning and Crusoe drove him in with a screaming shot down the third base line taking a 1-0 lead.

The Savannah Bananas (11-13) tied the game in the same inning on an RBI single from Utah Jones. With two outs, Jacob Southern got on base with a double to left and Jones knocked the run in to tie it, 1-1.

The RedWolves picked up their second run in the top of the fourth on a Cornell Nixon RBI base hit to drive in Masen Hibbeler. Hibbeler led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved to second on a stolen base. Nixon laced a hard ground ball back up the shoot to put the RedWolves on top, 2-1.

Savannah though, took the lead from Florence in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Southern got on base with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch. The next batter in Jones picked up his second run batted in, driving a double to the right center gap tying the game, 2-2. With Jones on second base, Jakob Nunez lifted a ball to left field scoring the third Bananas run to make it 3-2.

The Bananas pushed two more runs across in the bottom of the sixth on Nunez’s second hit of the day. The two- run single put Savannah in a comfortable 5-2 lead entering the final frame.

Despite picking up the loss, Kolton Ingram (1-1) started for the RedWolves and pitched well. A left-handed pitcher from Columbus State, Ingram threw 5.0 strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits, no walks and six strikeouts.

Spencer Hynes pitched the first four innings for Savannah and gave up two runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Hunter Phillips (3-1) entered for two innings on the mound and allowed just a single with a strikeout.

GAME TWO

Florence was stymied again in the second game of the doubleheader with the Savannah Bananas (12-13) as the two teams were in a 2-2 deadlock entering the sixth inning.

Jack Henry Beasley (0-2) made his first start for the RedWolves (13-10) and pitched a wonderful 5.0 innings. After giving up two runs in the second inning, Beasley settled in retiring the next 10 Bananas going into the sixth inning. He faced the first batter in Brocato and walked him and then gave way for reliever, Sean Tweedy. Tweedy faced one batter, whom he walked and Tripper Ergle took over on the rubber. Brandon Purcell sacrifice himself to move the runners into scoring position with one out. After an intentional walk to load the based, Bryce Fischer was jammed on an inside and placed a splintered-bat single into left scoring two runs to make it 4-2.

Ken LaPierre (2-0) threw for the ‘complete game’ in his 7.0 innings. LaPierre allowed only two runs on eight hits and five strikeouts.

Florence scored in the top of the second inning off of RBI singles from Christian Flint and Tanner Mann-Fix. The RedWolves put together a series of five straight one-out singles. Florence took the lead 2-0.

Savannah though responded in the bottom half of the second tying the game, 2-2. With one out, Southern worked a walk and Matt Pita singled through the left side. Utah Jones then singled up the middle to score Southern. Christian Hollie then stepped up and grounded into a fielder’s choice to even the score.

With the doubleheader sweep, Florence has suffered its ninth straight loss. The RedWolves began the season, 10-0, and won 13 of their first 14 on the year.

Florence heads back home to host the Bananas on Thursday, June 29th at Sparrow Stadium at 7pm. Visit www.florenceredwolves.com for more information and tickets.

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..

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