Blowfish Take Second Straight Shutout

Jake Zokan pitched a no-hitter into the 6th (Courtesy: Johnny Gasque)

COLUMBIA - The momentum swing has been dramatic. There is little argument about that from the Blowfish players and coaches.
    After losing five games in a row, Columbia has now won their last three as the Blowfish took a 3-0 shutout from the Morehead City Marlins Tuesday night. The Fish's pitching staff has not allowed a run in the past 21 innings.
    Jake Zokan (Charleston,  1-1) picked up his first win of the season after allowing only one hit in 5.1 innings. Zokan had a no-hitter going until Morehead's Zach Borenstein (Eastern Illinois) hit a bloop single with one out in the sixth. Zokan, who had reached his pitch count, was then removed from the game, receiving a standing ovation from the Columbia fans.
    Rob Kumbatovic (Hofstra, 0-2) got the loss, despite only giving up an unearned run. He did walk five and allowed five hits in his 4.1 innings of work. Columbia's Derrick Smith (Erskine) worked a scoreless eighth and ninth inning to pick up his first save.
    Both teams had a lot of trouble on the base paths. Columbia had two runners picked off, two caught stealing, and another two thrown out attempting to stretch base hits. Columbia reliever Chad Hodges (Shorter) also picked off two Morehead City baserunners, leading to the ejection of Marlins' coach Jay Bergman. Bergman argued that Hodges balked on both throws. In the middle of the seventh, Bergman confronted, then followed field umpire Jeff Bottoms behind second base, drawing the ejection.

Chase Vergason chases down Marlins runner Zack Borenstein after Borenstein was picked off in the sixth.

    Columbia finally broke the scoreless tie in the fourth. Branfy Arias (Tusculum) walked to start off the frame. Brison Celek (South Carolina) then hit a grounder to shortstop Joe Sclafini (Dartmouth), but Sclafini threw wildly to first, allowing Celek to move to second. Arias tried to score from first on the play, but was thrown out at the plate. David Greene (Citadel) then moved Celek over to third with a base hit. Celek later scored to make it 1-0 Blowfish after Kumbatovic threw a wild pitch that rolled all the way to the backstop.
    Columbia added on in the sixth. Greene led off with a walk and came around to score on Shawn Glover's (Erskine) double off the center field wall, giving the Blowfish a 2-0 advantage.
    Another run came across in the seventh. Demontez Jones (Georgia Southern) laid down a bunt single, barely beating the throw from third baseman Stephen Marino (Stony Brook). Marino was then ejected for arguing the call. Jones then broke for second on a hit-and-run and kept going after Nick Orvin (Citadel) doubled to left center. Jones scored on the play to extend the lead 3-0, but Orvin was thrown out attempting to reach third.
    The Marlins left nine stranded and had their chances, including the bases loaded in the eighth. However, Smith struck out Matt Ciraco (LeMoyne) to escape the inning.
    NOTES: There were three Marlins ejected in the seventh and eighth innings. Besides Bergman and Marino, designated hitter Gabe Brown was tossed for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout... Columbia has not allowed a run since the fourth inning of Saturday's second game... The Blowfish now hold a 3-2 series lead on the season against the Marlins... Columbia begins a two-game road trip at Florence tomorrow night at 7:30 pm... The Blowfish return home on Friday against the Wilmington Sharks at 7:05 pm. One lucky fan will win tickets to an Atlanta Braves game.