WILSON- Wilson starting pitcher Jeff Brown led the way for a Tobs' shutout of the Columbia Blowfish 4-0 Sunday evening at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, NC.
Wilson (7-4) struck first in the fourth inning. Blowfish (3-6) starter Stew Brase walked the first two batters, then allowed both to score on an RBI single by the Tobs' Matt Johns to give Wilson a 2-0 lead.
The Tobs scored two more in the fifth. Bobby Leeper doubled to lead off the inning, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a Zach Johnson walk, Leeper scored on a passed ball. Johnson then came around to score on a sacrifice bunt by Ellis Lowe, giving the Tobs a 4-0 lead.
The Blowfish had opportunities to score, but could not convert. Columbia had three hits in the 5th inning, but Cameron White was tagged out at third on a fielder's choice and John Long was thrown out at home to end the inning. The Blowfish had runners on second and third in the eighth, but Branfry Arias ran into a tag at third base to end the inning.
Brown (2-0) gave up seven hits and five strikeouts in six innings to earn the win. Brase gave up three earned runs on two hits in 4 and 2/3 innings, but hurt himself with seven walks to fall to 0-2 on the season.
Notes: The Blowfish have been held to only two runs in their past three games.... Wilson now holds a 2-1 lead in the season series between the two teams... It is the second time Wilson has shut out the Blowfish, Brase was the losing pitcher in both contests...the game took only 2:18 to play...The Blowfish will play a doubleheader at Florence Monday.
