Updated July 24 2015
The Generals (22-22) win in dramatic fashion tonight as they defeat Edenton (33-14) for the sixth time this year by a final score of 7-6.
It was a pitcher’s duel for the first two innings as both teams could not find home plate and Edenton could not even get a hit off of Connor Alford (Georgia College and State University). Carlos Lopez (Dominican College) got the first hit of the game followed by Jansen Fraser (University of Richmond) then a walk to Randy Loew (Francis Marion University) to load the bases for Lane Stancil (St. Leo University) who eventually struck out and it was still 0-0 after two innings.
Alford continued to deal in the third only giving up a hit. The Generals would crack the scoreboard first as Joe Schrimpf (Arkansas State University) doubled and was brought home by a GK Young (Coastal Carolina University) RBI double to left field as Petersburg took the 1-0 lead to head into the fourth.
A series of errors allowed Edenton to tie the game 1-1, but a two out homerun by Nick Maguire gave the Steamers the lead 2-1. The Generals responded with some offensive production of their own as Lopez and Tayor Hackett (Niagara University) walked to start the inning. Loew singled to load the bases again for Stancil, reminiscent of the second inning. This time Stancil responded with a two RBI single to score Lopez and Hackett to give the Generals the lead 3-2. Schrimpf would follow with a two RBI single to score Loew and Stancil to expand the Generals’ lead 5-2.
After a quick at bat for the Steamers and we were back to the Generals’ batting rotation which prompted a pitching change for Edenton. Dylan Zarosky would come in for Jake Cousins and allow the Generals to score off a Stancil single to score Fraser; 6-2 Petersburg after five complete innings. Petersburg would also make a pitching change in the top of the sixth inning as Alex Dandridge (North Carolina Central University) would come in for Alford and allow Edenton to score twice; 6-4 Petersburg after six complete innings.
Not satisfied with Zarosky’s performance Edenton made another pitching change as they brought Mick Fennell in from left field to pitch. Fennell kept the Generals off the score board for three complete innings while Edenton tied the game 6-6 in the top of the eighth inning off a RBI single by Brandon Sandoval and a SAC fly RBI by Trey Hair. Luke Simpson (Longwood) was brought in to replace Dandridge but after two quick runs Devin Sweet (North Carolina Central University) relieved him and finished the inning not allowing any more damage. The Generals failed to break the tie going 1,2,3 to end the inning.
Sweet shut down the Steamers in the top of the ninth inning and gave the Generals a chance to end the game in the bottom of the inning. To build more intensity to the ninth inning, Edenton brought in a new pitcher James Lynch. The winning run, Lopez got on base off a single. Fraser struck out looking and Hackett reached base via a walk putting Lopez one base closer to scoring. Andre Moore (Norfolk State University) was subbed in for Lopez to add more speed on the base path. Loew hit a dribbler to second base to advance Moore to third, but Hackett was out at second for the second out of the inning. With one chance remaining in the bottom of the ninth, in steps Stancil who was 3-4 with 3 RBIs on the night. On the second pitch Stancil laced a single to left field to score Moore and give the Generals the win 7-6.
Devin Sweet (4-1) gets the win and James Lynch (1-2) gets the loss. The Generals maintain control of first place for the second half of the season and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot. They will play back to back games against the Peninsula Pilots this weekend; away tomorrow in Hampton and home Sunday at the Petersburg Sports Complex for a 4:05pm start.
For additional information, please call 804-733-2394 or 804-722-0141 or visit us on the web at www.petersburggenerals.com.
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:Derrick Sydnor
Phone:804-722-0141