Blowfish Stomped by the Steamers

COLUMBIA SC - The Columbia Blowfish (12-20) are going to have to start getting defensive soon if they want to make the Petitt Cup Playoffs.

Columbia commit five errors on the night as they fell to the Edenton Steamers (23-10) 7-1 in the only match-up of the season between the teams.

Edenton jumped on the Blowfish immediately, with a run in the top of the first. With one out, AJ Rusbarsky (Seton Hall) singled, then subsequently advanced to second on a wild pitch by starter Tucker Hawley (Alabama, 0-1). He advanced to third on a ground out by Brian Billigen (Cornell), then crossed the plate on an RBI single by designated hitter Jake Magner (North Dakota). That run marked the third time in as many home games that the Blowfish trailed before they even had an opportunity to bat.

The Steamers tacked two more runs on in the third, courtesy of an RBI triple off the bat of Billigen, who scored on a Magner single in the next at bat. They put the game out of reach with three more in the fourth, but had a little help from Columbia doing so.

The inning started with a leadoff double off the bat of Brian Blasik (Dayton). That brought third baseman Greg Herbst (St. Mary's) to the plate. He hit a groundball to third baseman David Greene (Citadel), but he allowed the ball to get past him and into left field. Blasik took third on the error as Herbst slid safely to beat the throw from Ryan McCormick (Millersville) at second. After a sacrifice fly by Neiko Johnson (Kentucky), Billy Burns (Mercer) launched a triple into right field that plated Herbst from first. All three runs in the inning were unearned, as the Steamer's pushed their advantage to 6-0.

The defensive woes have been a recurring theme on the year for the Fish, who have now commited the second most errors in the league with 67 on the season, with 9 in just their last two games. When asked after the game what the issue was, Head Coach Lee Gronkiewicz replied with this:

"We don't play with any inspiration or with any passion. We've played with a complete lack of heart lately, and that is my fault."

Edenton starter Trey Mitchell (North Alabama, 2-2) stymied Columbia throughout the evening. He had a perfect game through four, and allowed just four hits, while walking zero. He continued the streak of high strikeout totals by a starter against the Blowfish, by racking up eight in as many innings. The only run he allowed came when the Fish managed to push across a run in the eighth. With the game well out of reach after Edenton had tacked on another run in the top half of the inning to make the score 7-0, Demontez Jones (Georgia Southern) hit a one out single. He moved to second on a groundout by Dadynoel Lorenzo (Shorter), then stole third for his 14th steal in as many attempts on the season. Jones then came around to score when McCormick fisted a double down the right field line for his first hit of the game.

NOTES: Baserunners went a perfect 7-7 in stolen base attempts on the evening... Columbia's Brison Celek (South Carolina) was one of few bright spots on the night, as he and Jones both went 2-4 on the night with 2 singles... The Blowfish have struck out at least 7 times in each of their last nine games, for a total of 85 times in those nine games. In four of those games, they struck out 10 times or more... The Blowfish travel to Fayetteville tomorrow for a doubleheader before returning to Columbia to take on the Morehead City Marlins on Thursday July 8th. It will be Thirsty Thursday at Capital City Stadium, meaning 12 oz sodas and beers will be just a dollar. All college students will be admitted to any remaining home game free with their school ID.