Columbia Hangs On to Defeat Sharks

WILMINGTON – It looked to be a blowout at Buck Hardee Field Sunday evening after the Columbia Blowfish (9-13) scored four in the first inning. However, Columbia left eight runners stranded and couldn’t score after that.

Fortunately, it would be plenty for Blowfish ace Stew Brase and the Blowfish clung on to defeat the Wilmington Sharks (12-10) 4-1.

                Brase (Charleston Southern, 3-2) picked up his third win of the season after giving up just one run on three hits over six innings. Justin Bradley (UNC-Wilmington, 0-2) recovered after a wild first to give up four runs (three earned) off five hits in six innings of work.  He also struck out five. Ryan Gunther (Elon) gave up no hits and two walks in three innings to pick up his first save.

                The Blowfish got an early cushion with four runs in the first inning. Chase Vergason (Florida Atlantic) singled with one out and then stole second. Branfy Arias (Tusculum) followed with an RBI single to bring Vergason around to score. The next batter, Brison Celek (South Carolina), reached after Wilmington shortstop Aaron Miller (Gardner-Webb)   misplayed a ground ball.

 Arias then stole third and scored on David Greene’s (Citadel) base hit.  After a wild pitch by Wilmington starter Justin Bradley (UNC-Wilmington) advanced the runners, Bryan Hill (Union) then drove a single into right field that brought Celek and Greene home  to give Columbia a 4-0 lead.

Brase held the Sharks in check most of the game. Wilmington was able to get a run across in the fifth.  With runners on second and third, Aaron Miller (Gardner-Webb) laced a single into center to score Ben Fish (Campbell) from second and cut into Columbia’s lead, 4-1.

That would be it for the Sharks, however. Wilmington only managed one hit after the first inning and none after the fifth.

Notes: Columbia stole 9 bases in the game. They now have 67 on the season, best in the Coastal Plain League…  The Blowfish have limited the Sharks to only 4 runs in their past 25 innings against Columbia…. Wilmington still holds a 3-2 lead in the season series… The Blowfish are off Monday before traveling to Fayetteville Tuesday to take on the SwampDogs at 7:05 pm…. Columbia returns home Wednesday to play the Sharks for the fifth time in a week at 7:05 pm. All 12-oz beers and sodas will be just $1 for Wet Wednesday.