'Fish end regular season with 3-0 loss to Swampdogs, but start playoffs Thursday night
Fayetteville, N.C.- The 2008
Coastal Plain League season for the Columbia Blowfish ended the same
way it started, with a loss to the Fayetteville Swampdogs. The 'Fish
were shutout 3-0 on Tuesday night at J.P. Riddle Stadium and held to
six hits. Fortunately for the Petitt Cup hosts, the season continues on
Thursday night in the first round of the playoffs. Columbia finishes
the second half at 14-14, good for second place and 22-33 overall for
the regular season. The 'Dogs complete their season at 27-29, one game
out of the last playoff spot.
The Swampdogs received all the
offense they would need in the bottom of the first on a Derrick Lowery
(Young Harris) RBI ground out. Fayetteville added a solo run in the
second on a Michael Moore (Erskine) wild pitch. The 'Dogs plated
another run in the eighth to finish the scoring.
The Blowfish
went to the bullpen often on the night, using eight pitchers in eight
innings of work. Moore (2-5) took the loss, giving up two runs in two
innings. The Swampdogs used a combination of three pitchers, holding
the Blowfish to the six hits, all singles. Mike Nihsen (Creighton) got
the win, six days after a loss to Columbia, and improved to (3-2). Sean
Sullivan (Winthrop) contributed two hits, raising his team best average
to .290.
The Blowfish will return to action on Thursday night,
as they make the first post-season appearance in team history at 7pm at
Capital City Stadium. The 'Fish battle number one seed Thomasville ,
for the first meeting this season. Columbia native Tyler McBride
(Winthrop) will start on the mound for the Blowfish in the historic
game. McBride owns a 5-2 record with a 2.30 ERA this summer. The former
pitcher of the week leads the team in strikeouts and is fourth in the
league in strikeout to walk ratio.
The Columbia Blowfish are a
member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer
collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 12th season, the Coastal
Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL is certified by Major League Baseball
and gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the
use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the
summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players
and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please
visit the league Web site at www.coastalplain.com.
For tickets to the Petitt Cup and more information on the Blowfish, please call 803-254-FISH or visit www.blowfisbaseball.com
|
