USC-Bound Pitcher Dominates Fish in Opener

Blowfish players during the national anthem

COLUMBIA - The 2,427 Columbia fans who filed out of Capital City Stadium Thursday night after the Blowfish's 7-0 loss to Florence may have been downhearted after an Opening Day defeat.

But the South Carolina fans among them had good reason to be excited.

USC-bound pitcher Spencer Jordan (1-0) dominated the Columbia (0-1) lineup, giving up just two hits in 7.2 innings, while striking out nine. Jordan pitched a no-hitter until the Blowfish's Branfy Arias (Tusculum) singled in the seventh.

Jordan, who pitched for Florence-Darlington Tech the past two seasons, will transfer to the Gamecocks next fall.

"He can beat your bats," Blowfish coach Lee Gronkiewicz said, "He pitched a great game, he mixed his pitches well and his timing was good with the speed of his pitches."

Columbia starter Randy Sturgill (California, Pa  0-1) had an inconsistent outing, giving up four runs in three innings. He struck out six, but also gave up five hits - all in the second inning.

Florence (2-0) got all of the offense it required off Ronnie Freeman's (Kennesaw St) two-run homer in the second. Trey Hernandez (TX A&M -CC) scored on the play. Later in the inning, Stephen Carmon (USC-Aiken) hit an RBI single to score Austin Smetana (Francis Marion). Ethan Santora (Mercyhurst) followed with another base hit to plate Tyler Boyd (Francis Marion), making it 4-0 Florence.

The Red Wolves added another pair of runs in the fifth. Santora hit a ground ball up the middle that was fielded by Blowfish shortstop Dadynoel Lorenzo (Georgia Perimeter). However, Lorenzo's throw to first sailed into the stands, allowing Santora to advance to second. Columbia reliever Chad Hodges (Shorter) then walked Mac Doyle (Wofford) and gave up a Freeman single to load the bases.

With the bases loaded, Hodges walked Carlos Ramirez (Wingate). Seth Neely (Clemson) then singled home Doyle to make it 6-0 Red Wolves. Freeman tried to score from second on the play, but a strong throw from Arias in right field allowed Blowfish catcher Shawn Glover (Erskine) to tag Freeman just shy of the plate.

Santora followed with a sacrifice fly down the right field line to score Boyd and give Florence its final margin.

Arias and Gabe Grammer (Presbyterian) had the only hits for Columbia all night. Twice, the Blowfish were able to get runners to third base, but Jordan and relief pitcher Samuel O'Neill (Mercyhurst) were able to induce inning-ending groundouts in the 1st and 8th, respectively.

Notes:
As a team, the Blowfish pitchers struck out 12 Red Wolves... Sturgill had the rare statistic of four strikeouts in an inning, after Tyler Boyd was able to reach base on a wild pitch strike three... The Blowfish honored longtime WLTX-TV sportscaster Bob Shields before the game with the "Key to Capital City Stadium." Shields retired Thursday. He made his final broadcast from the field before the game... Braves legend Dale Murphy threw out the first pitch... The two teams meet again in Florence Friday night. Columbia faces Outer Banks on Saturday at 7:05 pm. Get there early as kids can play catch on the field from 6:10 to 6:40.

Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy (L) threw the ceremonial first pitch to WLTX-TV sports reporter Bob Shields (Courtesy: Johnny Gasque)

For tickets call 803-254-FISH or log onto www.blowfishbaseball.com to buy online and print at home.

The Columbia Blowfish are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL 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. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 700 alumni drafted and 36 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at http://www.coastalplain.com .