By Chase Murphy | The Robesonian Summer Intern | Wednesday, July 16
We'll just leave this right here.
Yes, Red Springs won its series finale against Smithfield-Selma on Wednesday, grinding out a 3-1 triumph.
But the real story in the Tobacco State League is that with six games to play, we have FOUR TEAMS tied for first place. Sanford's loss today, combined with Whiteville's win and Warsaw's triumph has created a very crowded penthouse suite in the TSL standings. Never seen anything like this before, with 5 or 6 teams with genuine chances to finish on top.
Red Springs tops the list for now only by virtue of the alphabet. Some takeaways from today's triumph over the Leafs of Smithfield-Selma:
- Reliever George Youngblood was solid in his role as emergency starter, throwing six solid innings for his first win.
- John Griffis recorded a pinch-hit double for what would be the winning run in the seventh inning.
- Josh Fleisher went 2-for-4 and stroked his first homer of the season.
- Juan "Wizard of 0's" Hartman picked up his 10th save with a clean ninth inning.
- Injuries continue to bite the Red Robins. First baseman Steve Bowser took a tumble sliding into a base and had to leave the game. His status going forward is uncertain. Some type of upper body injury.
- Team trainers told us that starting pitcher Dave Colvin, out for a week with back spasms, won't be ready for at least another five days.
Tobacco State League Scoreboard | Wednesday, July 16
Red Springs 3, Smithfield-Selma 1
Dunn-Erwin 7, Sanford 4
Whiteville 3, Lumberton 1
Rockingham 6, Clinton 1
Warsaw 2, Angier-Fuquay Springs 1
Next Series for Red Springs
Clinton at Red Springs (July 17-19)