The Robesonian
Scribbles from the Notebook: This Story Line Is Getting Old
Thoughts, quotes and observations from the press box as the Red Springs Red Robins compete in the Tobacco State League
By Chase Murphy | The Robesonian | Summer Intern
Red Springs, NC – May 25, 2025
Pregame:
“New lineup. Fresh arms. The vibes were different from the start. I even allowed myself to smile during BP. That was a mistake.”
Top 1:
“Stubbs walks. Hit-and-run executed. Borruso sac fly. 1–0. Textbook baseball. Red Springs scored a run in the top of the first inning for the third consecutive night ... I allowed myself to imagine a win.”
Bottom 2:
“Lumberton ties it. Not surprising. Not back-breaking. Yet.”
Top 4:
“Borruso walks. Browning singles. Bowser fielder’s choice. Then: WREEDE. First pitch. Gone. Three-run shot. 4–1 Robins! They gave this man a start, and he kicked the door off the hinges.”
Later in Top 4:
“Colvin lays down a sac bunt. Rogers clears the bases with a three-run double. 7–1. I may or may not have fist-bumped a stranger.”
Top 5:
“Bowser goes yard after a Browning single. 9–1. We’re cruising. What could go wrong.
”
Bottom 5:
“Error. Hits. Walk. Colvin walks in a run. Crabtree looks like he’s chewing glass. They escape. Still comfortable at 9–2.”
Rain Delay – 34 minutes:
“The skies open. So does the emotional floodgate. Colvin’s day is done. Crowd eats Auction-Dogs for $1. I eat my fingernails.”
Bottom 6:
“Four runs. No control. Bad defense. Bad karma. Bullpen is an unlocked door in a hurricane. 9–6. It already feels like we're behind by 3.”
Top 7:
“WREEDE AGAIN. Towering solo homer. Stiltner just watched it fly out. 10–6. MVP-level stuff.”
Bottom 7:
“Five. Freaking. Runs. (I didn't say "Freaking"). I stopped writing pitch-by-pitch. The bullpen turned to vapor. A one-run lead vanished like it never existed. 11–10.”
Final:
“We scored 10. We bashed 15 hits. We went yard three times. We lost. Wreede should’ve been carried off the field. Instead, he sat in the dugout and stared into space. He gave them everything. The bullpen gave it back.”
Postgame Scribble:
“The Robins aren’t just 0–3. They’re cursed. Or broken. Or both. I’ll file this story, then I’ll sit in my car and question my life choices. Tomorrow, maybe, we’ll win. But tonight? Tonight: Going once, going twice, going three times. Sold! A big ol' extra large helping of humble pie."
[Editor's Note: I am playing out these games. These are crushing losses. My kingdom for a relief pitcher. I almost released every reliever on the Red Springs roster after this one...]