Blowfish Struggles Continue in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE- Eric Grabe had four hits and Matt McGovern pitched seven scoreless innings as the Fayetteville Swampdogs shut out the Columbia Blowfish 7-0 Thursday night at J.P. Riddle Stadium in Fayetteville.

McGovern (3-1) did not give up a run on three hits to earn the win. Columbia's Tyler Christman (0-3) suffered the loss despite giving up just three runs on six hits in six innings. Christman also struck out seven Swampdogs.

Fayetteville (14-9) struck first in the third inning after Wet Dulatte led off with a single and scored on Jared Humphreys's two-run home run to give Fayetteville a 2-0 advantage.

The Swampdogs added another run in the sixth on an Airlon Vinson double that scored Grabe to make it 3-0 Fayetteville.

Another pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings put it away for Fayetteville. Michael Niemann singled to lead off the seventh. He stole second after Columbia (7-18) catcher Branfry Arias's errant throw bounced off the leg of shortstop Jim Rider and rolled into shallow left field. Niemann continued to run and scored on the play. Grabe followed with an RBI single that scored Austin Lasprilla to give the Swampdogs a 5-0 after seven.

In the eighth, Brendan Rowland's double scored Dulatte and Humphreys to give Fayetteville its final margin, 7-0.

Columbia's Cameron White was 2-for-4 to continue his recent offensive streak.

Notes: It was the second consecutive shutout for Columbia. The Blowfish have failed to score in 20 consecutive innings... Columbia coach Tim Medlin was ejected for arguing a stolen base in the seventh. Catcher Branfry Arias's throw appeared to beat Austin Lasprilla to second base, but field umpire Aaron Reynolds said Lasprilla avoided the tag. Medlin argued the call and was ejected by home plate umpire Reed Barger as he walked back towards the dugout... In four starts, Christman has received four runs of support... The Blowfish return home to take on the Wilson Tobs at 7pm Friday at Capital City Stadium.