'Fish Rally in Ninth, But Fall in Extras

Tyler Christman shut out Wilmington through six

COLUMBIA- Jesse Bosnik (St. Bonaventure) was 0-for-5 after nine innings. Wilmington's most dangerous hitter failed to even reach base during that time. Naturally, it was only fitting that he would be the hero once the game went into extras.

Bosnik's two-run single gave Wilmington the lead for good in the eleventh inning as the Sharks defeated the Columbia Blowfish 3-1 in eleven innings Tuesday night at Capital City Stadium.

The game was scoreless into the eighth inning after both starters had excellent outings. Columbia's Tyler Christman (USC-Sumter) had another solid night as he gave up only two hits and struck out eight in six innings. The problem was that Wilmington starter J.C. Casey (Missouri St) wasn't giving up an inch. Casey allowed four hits through seven innings in the no-decision.

Branfry Arias was 2-for-3 before leaving with a wrist injury

Wilmington finally broke the scoreless tie in the eighth. Columbia reliever Richard Mounce (Clemson) walked Adam Eggemeyer (SIU Edwardsville) to start the inning. Eggemeyer stole second and later advanced to third after Andrew Guerra (St. Louis) grounded out to second. Mounce then threw a wild pitch that got away from catcher Shawn Glover (Erskine). Eggemeyer broke for home as Glover recovered and the Sharks' runner slid in just ahead of the tag to give Wilmington a 1-0 lead.

Mounce bailed himself out in the bottom of the ninth. After leading off with a single, the Clemson freshman advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gabe Grammar (Presbyterian). With two outs, Columbia coach Lee Gronkiewicz sent pinch hitter John Long (Liberty) to the plate. Long followed through with an RBI triple just inside the first base line to score Mounce and tie the game 1-1.

Wilmington took advantage of Blowfish miscues in the eleventh to reclaim the lead. With one out and nobody aboard, Graham Fronk (Campbell) hit a hard grounder to shortstop Matt Williams (Liberty). Williams fielded the ball on the hop, but made a high throw to first that was dropped by first baseman Trent Still (Anderson), allowing Fronk to reach. Columbia pitcher Cory Deering then walked the next two Sharks to load the bases. Bosnik followed with a single up the middle to score Fronk and Trevor Willis (Iowa), giving Wilmington a 3-1 lead.

Deering (0-1) took the loss in his first appearance for the Blowfish. He was charged with two runs, one earned, on two hits and two walks in 1.2 innings. Wilmington's Ryan McGrath (Wake Forest 1-3) got the win after blowing the save opportunity in the ninth. McGrath shut down the Columbia in extras, allowing only a walk.

Notes: Both teams wore special green hats in horo of the CPL's Go Green Week... Christman has received just five runs of support in his six starts for Columbia. Despite lasting for at least six innings in each contest, Christman still has not earned a win... In two starts against the Blowfish, Wilmington's J.C. Casey has not given up a run... The Blowfish hit the road looking for their first win under Coach Lee Gronkiewicz Wednesday, as they take on the Florence Red Wolves at 7:30 pm.