FLORENCE- Florence Red Wolves' starting pitcher John Taylor pitched a complete game shutout as the Columbia Blowfish fell in a seven inning game 3-0. It was the first game of a doubleheader at American Legion Field in Florence.
Taylor (1-1) gave up only one hit and struck out eight without giving up a walk to earn the win. Tyler McBride (1-2) gave up three runs, only one earned, in 4.2 innings for Columbia (3-7). It was the second consecutive game the Blowfish were shutout, and the third time this season.
Florence (7-3) got on the scoreboard in the third inning after Sam DiMatteo singled, then advanced to second on a balk by Blowfish starting pitcher Tyler McBride. McBride then tried to catch DiMatteo on a pickoff attempt, but his throw sailed into center field, allowing the runner to advance to third. Zack Caldwell made it 1-0 with a sacrifice fly.
In the fourth, Florence's Preston Shuey was hit by a McBride pitch. Brad Raj then grounded to second in what looked to be a double play, but Jason Coker misplayed the ball and Shuey advanced to third. Another sacrifice fly by Richard Pirkle gave the Red Wolves a 2-0 lead.
Florence struck again t0 make it 3-0 in the fifth as Zach Caldwell led off the inning with a walk, then came around to score on an RBI single by Barrett Kleinknecht.
Notes: The Blowfish have been held to only two runs in their past four games.... Florence now holds a 2-0 lead in the season series between the two teams... The Blowfish have failed to score a run in 18 consecutive innings, dating to Saturday night's loss against Thomasville...The Blowfish and Red Wolves will play the second game of the doubleheader at 8:00 p.m.
