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Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:15 PM Wilson tops Swampdogs 2-1 Tobs win another nail-biter By Michael Lindsay | Assistant Sports Editor Once again, the Wilson Tobs went down to the wire in a key Coastal Plain League South Division game. With the bases loaded in the ninth inning and one out, Tobs pinch hitter Matt Faiman scored pinch runner Aaron Watkins on a sacrifice fly to left field for a 2-1 walk-off win Wednesday over the Fayetteville SwampDogs in Fleming Stadium. With the teams entering the game in a virtual tie, Wilson (15-9), winners of two similarly close games the previous two nights, took a one-game lead over the SwampDogs (13-9) for the top spot in the South Division with four games left in the first half. "We feel like we can pull out every game," Faiman said. "Pulling out a six-run game (Monday against Florence), we always feel like we're in the game." Facing Fayetteville reliever Tom Schmidt (4-1), Tobs leadoff hitter Jake Astor drew a walk and Zach Johnson reached on an error by Schmidt on an infield bunt with no outs. After Greg Robinson replaced Schmidt, Ellis Lowe drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Faiman, a rising junior at Central Michigan, then lofted a fly ball to left. Watkins, a rising junior at Barton College who pinch-ran for Astor, scored from third, sliding in ahead of the throw, as teammates mobbed him and Faiman on the infield grass. "It feels awesome, you know, to be the hero," Faiman said with a smile. Wilson reliever Jason Sullivan (4-0) picked up the win with one one-hit inning, following a stellar performance by starter Brennan Dobbins. Dobbins, a rising junior at Central Florida, allowed one run on three hits and one walk in six innings. He and Fayetteville starter Ben Graham, who allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out 10 in eight innings, worked nearly pitch-for-pitch throughout the game. An early miscue was the only difference early, as Bobby Leeper gave the Tobs the advantage, singling, stealing twice and scoring on the errant throw to third base in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. As both pitchers cruised, the lead held until the seventh when the first two batters reached on a hit-by-pitch and hit-and-run single. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners over, Wet Delotte dropped a two-out single into shallow center field to score Eric Grabe from third and tie the game. Wilson, which has won five straight and seven of its last eight, plays at home again tonight, hosting Wilmington at 7. "It feels pretty good, coming through," Faiman said. "They're not pretty wins, but we'll take 'em." mlindsay@wilsontimes.com |
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