Blowfish Extends Losing Streak to Five

Morehead's Justin Carter reacts after tagging out Bryan Hill during an attempted steal. (Courtesy: Johnny Gasque)

COLUMBIA - The Columbia Blowfish (49) showed signs of improvement, but still fell to the Morehead City Marlins (9-6) in the first game of a doubleheader to extend their losing streak to five straight games, and seven of their last eight. Columbia's John Long (East Tennessee State) looked extremely uncomfortable in his Blowfish debut, but battled to pitch 5 innings of two run ball. His counterpart, Morehead City's Brad McAllister (Barry), looked extremely comfortable and was rolling early, as he faced the minimum batters through the first three innings.
    The Marlins got things started in the 2nd inning, after the first inning ended with a line drive hit right at Blowfish first baseman Brison Celek (South Carolina) that started an easy double play. They rebounded immediately, as Stephen Marino reached on a walk and stole second as part of a double steal, even though the runner breaking for third was gunned down on a perfect throw by catcher Nick Abrahamson (Virginia Commonwealth). Marino scored easily on a Brian Litwin (Duke) single after Orvin bobbled the ball in center.

Long gave up two runs in five innings

   Columbia had the makings of a comeback in the fourth and fifth innings. Orvin scored on a single by Branfy Arias (Tusculum) in the fourth. In the top of the fifth, Long managed to escape a jam with runners on second and third with no outs by striking out lead-off hitter Joe Sclafini (Dartmouth). After a walk to the dangerous Justyn Carter (Saint Peter's) that loaded the bases, he retired Zack Borenstein (Eastern Illinois) on a ground out before Chad Oberacker (Tennessee Tech) struck out.
    With all the momentum in their favor, the Blowfish led off the inning with two consecutive singles by David Greene (Citadel) and Abrahamson. The runners each advanced 90 feet courtesy of a balk, but Bryan Hill (Union), Vergason and Demontez Jones (Georgia Southern) struck out in order to end the inning and strand the runners. Columbia went quietly after that, striking out twice in the sixth.

    Notes: In a game that featured the two league leaders in steals, five runners were caught stealing on eight attempts between the two teams. The Blowfish were caught stealing three times in the game, including Branfy Arias twice getting caught on a pitch out… Columbia's two errors give them 23 errors in their last 8 games… Three Columbia Blowfish made their CPL debut tonight: Nick Orvin in centerfield, third baseman David Greene and shortstop Chase Vergason.