The Tobacco State League: A Summer With the Red Springs Red Robins

[AZTarHeel]

RED ROBINS BREAK THROUGH FOR FIRST 'W'!
Steve Bowser, Shane Hangen bash homers; pitching staff slams the door

By Chase Murphy | The Robesonian Summer Intern
May 27, 2025

At long last, the losing streak is over — and I don’t care if I’m supposed to stay objective: this one felt amazing.

After four straight days of heartbreak, walk-offs, and walk-backs to the dugout with heads hanging low, the Red Springs Red Robins finally delivered what the faithful at Robbins Stadium have been dying to see — a win. A real one. A 5–3 triumph over Whiteville, sealed by timely blasts and, dare I say it, clutch pitching.

Was the crowd thinner than Opening Night? Sure. Did it drizzle all day like the baseball gods were trying to test our spirit? Yup. But nobody cared once that final out was recorded. Our Red Robins — still figuring it out, still scrappy as ever — got into the win column. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.



The night belonged to two unlikely sluggers.

Steve Bowser — the 20-year-old first baseman with the quiet bat but loud potential (despite being drafted in the 28th round) — launched a three-run shot in the third inning that brought the dugout to life. Then, in the sixth, veteran catcher Shane Hangen (age 29, playing what might be his final summer of organized ball) turned on an inside pitch and crushed it over the left-field wall to give the Robins a 5–3 lead.

The bats did their job. Then — and I’m still wrapping my head around this — the pitching held it down.

No. 5 starter Shane D’Ovidio battled through six gritty innings, giving up three runs but keeping us in it the whole way. And then the bullpen — yes, our bullpen — was lights out. Bob Hoyle (one of the goats in an earlier loss) set the table with a clean seventh and eighth, and then, for the first time this season, the lights dimmed and the Wizard emerged.

Juan “Wizard of 0’s” Hartman made his season debut in the ninth, and let me tell you — it was worth the wait. A double-play ball. A strikeout with heat that sizzled even in the damp air. Game over. Win secured. Drought broken.

“I know it’s just one,” Hangen said after the game, “but man, we needed that one.”

So did we, Shane. So did we.

------

Around the Tobacco State League tonight:
Warsaw 11, Rockingham 10 (12 innings)
Sanford 12, Lumberton 4 (Lumberton has lost 2 straight since sweeping Red Springs)
Dunn-Erwin 1, Clinton 0 (Twins pitch a 1-hitter)
Smithfield-Selma 6, Angier-Fuquay Springs 0 (2-hitter for the Leafs)

Every team is now either 3-2 or 2-3 ... except the Robins, who are 1-4 ... but only 2 back!

[AZTarHeel]

HOYLE TOUGH:
Red Robins reliever Bob Hoyle may have spent the last few days in baseball timeout (a.k.a. the reserve roster) after a dreadful showing at Lumberton, but Tuesday night he came storming back with a vengeance — and maybe a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

Called in for the seventh inning with a slim two-run lead, Hoyle briefly had fans (and maybe his manager) holding their breath after taking a tumble during a fielding play. The training staff took a look. Hoyle waved them off. When manager Elijah Crabtree visited the mound, Hoyle gave the most Bob Hoyle response possible: “Buzz off. I’m fine."

He wasn’t bluffing.

The 22-year-old righty shut down Whiteville in the seventh and the eighth, tossing his best outing of the season. He did give up a hit to the first batter in the ninth — but that just gave Robbins Stadium the chance to unleash The Wizard (Juan Hartman) for the final act.

For a guy who was shelved just two days ago, Hoyle’s message was loud and clear: he’s back, and he’s here to battle.

“Reserve roster purgatory or not, I don’t care,” Hoyle said postgame, still icing his elbow. “If you give me the ball, I’m gonna throw it until someone makes me stop.”

--- Chase Murphy | The Robesonian

[AZTarHeel]

McSwain Masterful, Brooks Brilliant, Wizard Wows ‘Em Late
Red Springs baseball wins again, blanks Whiteville 4-0

By Chase Murphy | The Robesonian Summer Intern
May 28, 2025

That’s two in a row.
That’s a shutout.
That’s a statement.

On a night where the Red Springs Red Robins needed to prove the first win wasn’t a fluke, they delivered one of the most complete performances of the young season.

Dan McSwain? Seven-plus scoreless innings, calm under fire, an ace in every sense.

Lefty Matt Brooks? Quiet assassin. Came in cold in the eighth, stayed hot into the ninth.

Closer Juan “Wizard of O’s” Hartman? Came in with two on and two out in the ninth, stared down Whiteville’s top hitter Samir Aragvsky (.440) — and blew him away with a filthy strikeout to end it.

No save. No problem.
Robins win, 4–0.
And for the first time this season, this team doesn’t just look promising — they look dangerous.

FINAL SCORE
Red Springs 4, Whiteville 0

Red Springs: 4 R, 7 H, 0 E
Whiteville: 0 R, 6 H, 1 E

Red Robins Offensive Leaders:
Chris Wreede: 2-for-4, RBI, tone-setter and crowd favorite
Steve Bowser: 1-for-4, RBI double off the centerfield fence
Bruce Browning: 1-for-3, RBI single, picked off (but forgiven)
Mario Sanchez: 1-for-3, double, run scored
Ken Rogers: drew a key walk to extend the 6th inning rally

Pitching Recap:
McSwain (W, 1-0): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 6 K
Brooks (H): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Hartman: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K, game-ending wizardry

“We’re just getting started,” McSwain said postgame, not even bothering to unstrap his cleats. “I told Coach I hadn’t broken a sweat yet. Guess I’ll save that for next week.”

The Robins are 2–4.
But they’re flying high.
And nobody’s laughing now.

Out Of Town Scoreboard
Warsaw 3, Rockingham 1
Angier-Fuquay Springs 4, Smithfield Selma 1
Clinton 2, Dunn-Erwin 1
Lumberton 2, Sanford 0

Updated TSL Standings
4–2: Warsaw, Clinton, Lumberton
3–3: Rockingham, Angier, Smithfield-Selma, Sanford
2–4: Dunn-Erwin, Red Springs, Whiteville

[AZTarHeel]

Red Sox > Red Robins

Thursday, May 29

With rain in the forecast for Thursday night, ace summer intern Chase Murphy opted not to make the 90-minute trip to see Red Springs' weekend opener at Warsaw.

It was a good thing he stayed home. Rains delayed things for awhile, and the Red Robins got pummeled once play resumed, 8-2.

Justin Lee pitched a gem for the Red Sox as Warsaw improved to 5-2. Red Springs dropped to 2-5, with their ace Luke Restivo suffering his second defeat of the season. Dylan Hogsed went 3-for-5 to lead the Warsaw onslaught.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Friday night, but teams are hopeful game two of the series can be played. Lefty Dave Colvin is expected to go for the Robins ...

[AZTarHeel]

Abell Redeems, Wreede Delivers, Hartman Slams the Door Cold
Red Robins have now won three of last four after nailbiting comeback victory

By Chase Murphy | The Robesonian Summer Intern
May 30, 2025

They nearly blew it. Twice.

They forgot to warm up their closer.
They grounded into another soul-crushing double play.
They trailed in the fifth and looked like the season was about to snap in half.

And they still won, beating Warsaw 3-2 in a nailbiter.

Red Springs 3B Danny Abell, once hitting below the Mendoza line, ropes a double, scores the tying run, and then makes a clutch defensive play to gun down the lead runner on a bunt in the ninth.

2B Chris Wreede continues his summer hero arc with a game-tying RBI and flawless defense at second.

Bruce Browning adds a go-ahead RBI.
And Juan “Wizard of 0’s” Hartman comes in cold and still pulls off a ninth-inning escape worthy of a movie trailer.

“I told the coach I didn’t need to be warm,” Hartman said after the game, wrapping his right arm in a towel. “I’m always hot.”

Reliever Bob Hoyle got the win. He pitched 1.2 innings of no-hit ball with one walk and 2Ks.

Red Springs Scoring Recap:
T5: Abell RBI single
T8: Wreede RBI single, Browning RBI single

Pitching Line:
Colvin (W): 6.0 IP, 6Ks, 0 walks, 7 hits, 2 runs allowed — solid with a few slips
Hartman (SV): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 warm-up pitches, all guts

Red Springs improves to 3–5 — still alive, still swinging, and now officially the most stressful 3-win team in the league.

“I didn’t throw my laptop out the window,” one anonymous team executive said postgame.
“So that’s a win, too.”

Around the Tobacco State League Tonight (May 30):
Clinton 4, Angier-Fuquay Springs 3
Smithfield-Selma 5, Lumberton 4
Dunn-Erwin 5, Rockingham 2
Whiteville 4, Sanford 3

TSL Standings | After May 30 Games
Clinton 6-2
Lumberton 5-3
Warsaw 5-3
Smithfield 4-4
Sanford 4-4
Dunn-Erwin 4-4
Rockingham 3-5
Red Springs 3-5
Angier-Fuquay Springs 3-5
Whiteville 3-5

[AZTarHeel]

Wreede’s Extra-Inning Heroics Lift Red Robins Past Warsaw, 4-2

By Chase Murphy | The Robesonian | Summer Intern
Saturday, May 31, 2025

WARSAW — The Red Springs Red Robins battled into extra innings Saturday night and left "Little Fenway" with their second straight series win, thanks to a clutch two-run double from Chris Wreede in the 11th inning that sealed a 4-2 victory over the Warsaw Red Sox.

After falling behind 2-0 early, Red Springs chipped away, tying the game in the sixth on a two-run double from third baseman Danny Abell. The Robins left 12 men on base but never folded, scratching out chance after chance until Wreede delivered the dagger in the 11th.

Wreede, who’s become the heart of the Red Springs lineup, finished with two hits, a stolen base and the game-winner in extra innings. His .462 average and ninth RBI of the young season have him squarely in the early MVP conversation.

On the mound, Estevan Hernandez gave the Robins six solid innings, and relievers Miguel Garcia, Bill Lane and Juan “The Wizard of 0’s” Hartman combined for five scoreless frames to finish it. Hartman recorded the final out on a one-pitch grounder to earn his third save.

With the win, the Red Robins improved to 4-5 — part of a logjam in the middle of the Tobacco State League standings as May comes to a close.

Red Springs opens a key three-game homestand Monday against the Rockingham Eagles, who boast a red-hot offense led by catcher Ricky Phillips (.452) and third baseman Willie Cordova (.441). Game one is set for 7 p.m. at Robins Field.

[AZTarHeel]

TSL Standings Snapshot – May Ends in a Muddle

There’s parity, and then there’s this.

Through the first nine games of the Tobacco State League’s 2025 season, no team has fewer than four wins or more than six. It’s a logjam from top to bottom, with Clinton (6-3) holding a narrow edge as May closes.

Clinton might be the early frontrunner — they’ve won six of their first nine, with strong pitching and just enough timely hitting. But they stumbled in a 5-4 loss to Angier-Fuquay Springs on Saturday, reminding everyone that no one’s running away just yet.

A three-way tie sits just behind them at 5-4 — Smithfield, Lumberton and Warsaw all looking solid but not invincible. Warsaw, for example, dropped two of three to Red Springs this weekend after entering the series on a hot streak.

Then there’s the traffic jam at 4-5: Sanford, Dunn-Erwin, Red Springs, Angier-Fuquay Springs, Whiteville and Rockingham are all within a single game of second place. With every team separated by just two games, June is shaping up to be absolute chaos.

Takeaway: We’re one-third of the way through the season, and no team looks unbeatable. For clubs like Red Springs, who’ve just won back-to-back series, there’s a real chance to climb. For Clinton? They might be in the lead, but there’s no room to coast.

[AZTarHeel]

COLUMN: Another Day, Another Dose of Rockingham Reality
Eagles pound Red Springs pitching en route to 9-5 triumph

By Chase Murphy | The Robesonian Summer Intern
June 1, 2025

RED SPRINGS, N.C. — You can’t win 'em all. But you'd hope Red Springs might stop losing the same way.

Sunday afternoon’s 9-5 faceplant against Rockingham wasn’t just a bad game—it was a familiar one. Our boys punched out 12 hits, got a triple and two doubles from Ken "Wee Davy" Rogers (who’s apparently playing on rookie mode), and managed to score in three of the first four innings. And we still lost.

Why? Because Rockingham rocking-hammed us like multiple teams have done so far this young season.

Let’s talk about Fernando "The Crow" Vargas for a second. Three hits, a homer, two runs, three RBIs, and a general aura of smug chaos in his first start in green and white. He wrecked us in the field and haunted us in the dugout. His sixth-inning two-run shot off David Hayes was the final nail in a coffin we’d been slowly building since the second inning.

Red Springs pitching, quite frankly, was the problem.

Shane D’Ovidio got the start and was terrible. A 56-pitch, 10-hit disaster. Gave up six earned in 3.1 innings. ERA now ballooning at 8.68.

Hayes tried to patch the wound and promptly allowed a Vargas bomb.

Miguel Garcia served up another homer in the ninth just for fun.

George Youngblood came in for one batter. The last one. At least he got the out.

Meanwhile, Rockingham’s bullpen cobbled together 8.1 innings of one-run ball after their opener lasted two-thirds of an inning. That's the difference between us and them. When they go to the 'pen, it’s plug the leak. When we go to the 'pen, it’s spray the hose full-blast into the living room.

Yes, we hit. Everybody got at least one knock. Even D’Ovidio, the pitcher. Rogers went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a triple. Cordova, Bowser, Hangen—all respectable. But it doesn’t matter when your mound crew looks like they’re throwing BP to a team full of ghosts with vendettas.

And speaking of vendettas: I certainly won’t forget Vargas circling the bases like he owned Robbins Stadium. We better remember this game next time we see them. Which will be in less than 24 hours BTW.

Next Up: We host Rockingham again Monday and Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. each night. I’d love to say we’re due. But the Eagles don’t believe in “due.” They believe in pounding 13 hits and daring you to stop them.

Let’s see if we’re up for it.

[AZTarHeel]

Murphy’s Law | Red Springs Finds a New 'Old Way' to Lose
Robins Rally, But Once Again the Bullpen Lets Them Down in 7-6 loss to Rockingham

By Chase Murphy, The Robesonian

No words.
Scratch that — too many words, and none of them printable.

Red Springs rallied from two down and built a four-run lead.
They blew a four-run lead.
They brought in the Wizard.
He faltered.
They scrapped back in extras ...

…and then looked at strike three with the tying run standing in scoring position.

Then their hottest hitter of the night — Justin Stubbs — swung through a fastball and dropped to a knee like someone yanked the air out of the stadium. Ball game. Another gut-puncher.

Final score: Rockingham 7, Red Springs 6 (10 innings).

The Red Robins aren’t a bad baseball team.
No, they’re something worse: a team that gives you hope.

They flash just enough to keep your heart involved.
They claw back just enough to make you believe this is the night.
And then, right when you sit up in your seat and think maybe — just maybe — they’ve figured it out ...

They fall flat. Or wild pitch it. Or pop out trying to punt. Or watch a fastball buzz past while the bat never leaves the shoulder.

The Red Robins dugout after this one? A graveyard.
Manager Elijah Crabtree didn’t say a word — not that anyone would’ve heard him through the silence.
Even the crowd, half of which stayed past the 9th, sat stunned as the last out landed in the catcher’s glove.

All that’s left now is this sentence, scratched into a reporter’s notepad like a bruise that won’t fade:

“A game they had. A game they lost. And a team still trying to find itself.”

* * *

Editor's Note: I have played OOTP a long time. Playing out the games is the best part. I have never had a team that is as maddening as this one ...

We can't hit ANYTHING for five innings, falling behind 2-0. Then we get hot and score 4. Then two more. We're up 6-2 heading into the top of the ninth. Closer at the ready in case the set-up man falters. He falters. Then the closer falters. Tie game. Extras, where we lose the lead on a wild pitch and batters who don't swing with two strikes against them ...

[AZTarHeel]

Around the Tobacco State League – June 2 Results

While Red Springs was unraveling like an old cardigan, the rest of the Tobacco State League tightened up into an absolute logjam.

Lumberton 3, Clinton 2 – Lumberton grinds out another close win and stands alone atop the standings at 7–4.

Whiteville 6, Smithfield-Selma 3 – Whiteville keeps climbing, and S-S just keeps... floating.

Sanford 6, Warsaw 4 – Sanford turns back a late push to stay in the thick of it.

Angier-Fuquay Springs 8, Dunn-Erwin 4 – In the annual Hyphen Bowl, Angier-Fuquay doubles up the double-town neighbors and moves to .500.

Tobacco State League Standings (Through June 2)
Team Record
Lumberton 7–4
Rockingham 6–5
Clinton 6–5
Whiteville 6–5
Angier-Fuquay Springs 6–5
Sanford 6–5
Smithfield-Selma 5–6
Warsaw 5–6
Red Springs 4–7
Dunn-Erwin 4–7

Reality check for Red Springs:
Red Robins very easily could have seven or eight wins with even a serviceable bullpen...

Instead? 4–7, tied for the cellar with Dunn-Erwin, the only team in the league that looks shakier on a nightly basis.

It’s not the standings that sting — it’s knowing they could’ve been near the top.
But baseball’s not played in hypotheticals.
And the Robins? They’re stuck trying to turn "almost" into "finally" before the season slips away for good.

[AZTarHeel]

Crabtree Lays Down the Law: Robins To With Plain White Uniforms After Crushing Loss


By Chase Murphy, The Robesonian

You blow a four-run lead.
You waste a brilliant comeback.
You hand over a game on a wild pitch and watch strike three with the tying run in scoring position?

You lose the red.

That’s the word from inside the Red Springs clubhouse, where Manager Elijah Crabtree — equal parts frustrated and fuming — confiscated all team uniforms after Tuesday night’s gut-wrenching 7–6 loss in 10 innings.

And tomorrow night?
No more Robins script. No bird logo. No identity.

Just plain white uniforms, reportedly pulled from a dusty equipment room bin — no names, no flair, no mercy.

“You have to earn the red threads,” Crabtree was reported to have told equipment managers postgame. “And these guys haven’t done that yet.”

Sources say the players returned to the locker room to find their crimson and white jerseys missing, replaced by a single note on the wall:

“Wanna wear Red Springs? Start playing like Red Springs.”

The team is expected to wear the plain whites for Wednesday night’s series finale against Rockingham — a team that, in Crabtree’s words, “didn’t give away four runs down the stretch and didn’t blink when it mattered.”

Fans are already dubbing it the “Whiteout Game”, and players were tight-lipped leaving the clubhouse — though one was overheard muttering, “If we lose tomorrow, we’ll be playing in towels.”

Red Springs plays tomorrow not as the Red Robins, but as a reminder: Tradition isn’t stitched on — it’s earned.

[AZTarHeel]

Murphy’s Law | No Names, No Logos — Just Baseball.
Robins Bounce Back with 8–1 Win

By Chase Murphy, The Robesonian

The red was gone.
The pride? Maybe not far behind.
But for the first time in weeks, the Red Springs Red Robins didn’t try to impress. They just played baseball.

Wearing blank white uniforms, stripped of their identity after a humiliating collapse the night before, the Robins came out and dominated Rockingham 8–1 in front of a stunned, slowly reawakening home crowd of 4,417.

“You don’t earn the red with excuses,” Manager Elijah Crabtree said postgame. “You earn it with games like this.”

Luke Restivo — the quiet arm in the rotation — delivered a masterpiece: 8.0 IP, 7 hits, 1 run, 102 pitches. He didn’t overpower Rockingham. He outlasted them. And for the first time this season, he didn’t have to pitch scared.

“Everyone was locked in,” Restivo said. “No distractions, no drama — just baseball.”

The offense? Crisp and confident:

Steve Bowser launched a 2-run homer in the 1st, walked twice, and crossed the plate twice.

Danny Abell had three hits and three RBIs, including a big 2-run double in the 7th.

Mario Sanchez and Ken “Wee Davy” Rogers each delivered two-out RBI hits to stretch the lead late.

No bullpen meltdowns. No wild pitches. No errors that mattered. Just nine innings of clean, ruthless baseball from a team wearing nothing but white and grit.

And the crowd? They felt it.
They rose in the 8th after Abell’s double.
They roared in the 9th when Bill Lane calmly closed the book in 13 pitches.

Crabtree didn’t say whether the reds would return next game. But as he walked out of the clubhouse, he tossed a bag of jerseys on the bench with a single note taped to it:

“Maybe.”

[AZTarHeel]

Tuesday, June 3 Scores:
Sanford 3, Warsaw 0
Whiteville 3, Smithfield-Selma 1
Clinton 5, Lumberton 1
Angier-Fuquay Springs 5, Dunn-Erwin 3
Red Springs 8, Rockingham 1

Update Standings
Team Record
Whiteville 7–5
Clinton 7–5
Lumberton 7–5
Angier-Fuquay Springs 7–5
Sanford 7–5
Rockingham 6–6
Red Springs 5–7
Warsaw 5–7
Smithfield-Selma 5–7
Dunn-Erwin 4–8

[AZTarHeel]

Twins Blank Robins Behind Walker’s Gem

Staff Report | The Robesonian | June 5, 2025

DUNN-ERWIN, N.C. — The Red Springs bats never got going Thursday night as Dunn-Erwin pitcher Jeremy “Thor” Walker (photo attached — mustache not very Asgardian, but highly effective) spun a 7-inning shutout, leading the Twins to a 3–0 win.

Walker scattered five hits, walked one, and struck out six in a dominant performance that silenced a Robins offense coming off its best week of the season.

Red Springs starter Dave Colvin (0–1) took the loss, giving up solo homers to Mike Black and Greg Smith in the early innings.

The lone bright spot for Red Springs was center fielder Justin Stubbs, who continued his recent tear with two more hits, raising his average to .200 on the season after a brutal start (1-for-20).

No official attendance was reported, though several dozen locals could be heard praising the Dunn-Erwin logo, featuring a bold orange-and-blue pine tree motif that may be the cleanest look in the Tobacco State League.

Red Springs drops to 5–8 with the loss. The series continues Friday.

* * *
NOTE: Chase Murphy, ace summer intern with The Robesonian, was not able to attend the game, as his car broke down in the parking lot of Munchie Mike’s. At least the bacon-wrapped hot dog was great. Repairs estimated at $450. It is unclear if Murphy will be able to make the trip for Friday’s rematch…

[AZTarHeel]

BREAKING: Robins Trade Cory Wing to Rockingham for RHP Dane O’Farrell

Staff Report | June 5, 2025

RED SPRINGS, N.C. — In a surprise deal between Tobacco State League rivals, the Red Springs Red Robins and Rockingham Eagles have completed a trade that sends 1B Cory Wing to Rockingham in exchange for RHP Dane O’Farrell.

The deal, confirmed by sources late Friday night, is pending physicals. Both players are expected to report to their new clubs in time for Saturday’s games.

The Deal:
To Rockingham:
– 1B Cory Wing, 21
– Batting .250 (2-for-8), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 runs scored
– High-upside bat, but had yet to carve out a defined role in the Red Springs lineup

To Red Springs:
– RHP Dane O’Farrell, 25
– 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 4 BB
– Opponents hitting just .095 against him
– Considered a rising arm with bullpen versatility

While Wing showed flashes of potential in spring training, he never cracked the regular rotation at 1B, where Steve Bowser has become an everyday fixture.

O’Farrell, meanwhile, adds much-needed depth to a Robins bullpen that has been wildly inconsistent, especially in late innings. With Juan “Wizard of 0’s” Hartman fatigued and Bill Lane taking on more high-leverage innings, O’Farrell could step into a key 6th–7th inning role immediately.

“Sometimes you need to make a move that helps you today,” a Red Springs team official said. “We wish Cory the best — but we needed arms.”

Fan reactions have been mixed, with Rockingham supporters excited to land a young bat, while Red Springs fans hope O’Farrell brings a little late-inning stability to a team that’s invented new ways to lose games.

More updates to come as players join their new squads...

* * *
NOTE: Of course, on a night when Chase Murphy can't be around Red Springs because of car issues, major team news breaks...

[AZTarHeel]

My excitement for this game and for creating dynasty stories can be traced back to this early 2000s legacy thread: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell by Big Six.

When I had the chance to trade for a pitcher with the last name of O'Farrell, I knew I had to make a play for him. He looks pretty good, at least on paper. Still trying to figure out if he is any relation to Patrick. This one calls Chapel Hill, NC his hometown. Not sure if any of Patrick's kin settled in the Old North State ...

[AZTarHeel]

Murphy’s Law | Red Threads Return as Robins Blank Twins, 7–0

By Chase Murphy | Summer Intern | The Robesonian
Friday, June 6, 2025

DUNN-ERWIN, N.C. — The red was back — both on the uniforms and in the cheeks of the Dunn-Erwin dugout after the Red Springs Red Robins unloaded a week’s worth of frustration in a resounding 7–0 win Friday night.

Estevan Hernandez delivered a brilliant start, tossing six scoreless innings while scattering just three hits and striking out four. The 24-year-old righthander improved to 1–0 and looked every bit the steady hand this team’s been praying for.

Red Springs broke a 1–0 game wide open with a four-run 7th, then tacked on two more in the 9th for good measure. The offense piled up 13 hits, including:

Mario Sanchez, 3-for-4 with an RBI

Bruce Browning, 1-for-3 with two walks and a run-scoring groundout

Justin Stubbs, red-hot, with another two-hit night and two stolen bases

Scott Ward, off the bench, smacked a 2-out RBI single in the 9th in his first at-bat of the year (taking the spot on the active roster previously held by Cory Wing).

The bullpen was surgical:

Dane O’Farrell, newly acquired from Rockingham, debuted with a clean 7th

Bill Lane and Matt Brooks each tossed a scoreless inning to seal the combined 4-hit shutout

It was a game that felt, for one of the only times all season, complete.

“It makes it a little nicer in the clubhouse when we win,” Hernandez said. “It eases the tension.”

And yes — in case you were wondering...

NOTE: Despite lingering car issues, this reporter did in fact make it to the game. Thanks to a ride from backup catcher Mike Adams, who agreed to the lift in exchange for a postgame Sheetz stop and a promise not to mention his .083 batting average. Deal honored.

The bacon-wrapped hot dog from Munchie Mike’s? Still unmatched.

Red Springs improves to 6–8 and now sits just one game out of a crowded middle of the standings.

Game three of the series is Saturday, and with the red threads reclaimed, the Robins might just be heating up. (Of course we've said that before...)

[StLee]

Originally Posted by AZTarHeel

My excitement for this game and for creating dynasty stories can be traced back to this early 2000s legacy thread: The Base Ball Life of Patrick O'Farrell by Big Six.

When I had the chance to trade for a pitcher with the last name of O'Farrell, I knew I had to make a play for him. He looks pretty good, at least on paper. Still trying to figure out if he is any relation to Patrick. This one calls Chapel Hill, NC his hometown. Not sure if any of Patrick's kin settled in the Old North State ...

I most certainly remember that dynasty, among a few others. I have a few dynasties bookmarked, including Short Hop. I really miss the "Like" button for when I would read a dynasty report entry but was not able or willing to reply each time. It was an announcement to the writer that, "Yeah, I read it!"

[AZTarHeel]

Originally Posted by StLee

I really miss the "Like" button for when I would read a dynasty report entry but was not able or willing to reply each time. It was an announcement to the writer that, "Yeah, I read it!"

That would be fantastic. Sometimes I feel like I am posting updates into thin air. Maybe it's just me, but these forums seemed A LOT more interactive back in the day. Had some great engagement with other dynasty nerds like myself.

With that being said, Thanks for reading and following along!

[AZTarHeel]

My goal with this dynasty has been to play things out in "real time." While I've been able to play games on schedule (a nice break during the day), I've fallen behind on posting by about a week. So let's get caught up because Red Springs is starting to heat up!

Saturday, June 7
Red Springs 1, Dunn-Erwin Twins 0: A pitcher's duel won by Red Robins hurler Shane D'Ovidio (5-hit shutout). Bruce Browning's solo homer was all the Robins needed.

Sunday, June 8
Red Springs 5, Sanford Spinners 0: A pleasing result against one of the better teams in the league. Dan McSwain gets the pitching win, while Justin Stubbs goes yard (3-run HR).

Monday, June 9
Sanford 7, Red Springs 2: Back to reality. The No. 1 overall pick in the preseason draft, Andy Jensrud, makes Red Springs pay with some timely hitting and RBIs. Robins' only runs come in the top of the ninth.

Tuesday, June 10
Sanford 4, Red Springs 2: Jensrud plays the villain again, with the game-winning RBI single in the seventh. Red Springs strands 10 runners, including five in scoring position. Can't do that! Sanford improves to 11-7. Robins drop to 8-10.

Wednesday, June 11
Red Springs 5, Smithfield Selma Leafs 2: Back home after a week of road action. 2B Chris Wreede (batting .396) homers, triples and leads with three RBIs.

Thursday, June 12
Red Springs 9, Smithfield-Selma 3: The dam finally breaks, and the Red Robins pound out 13 hits, taking an early 7-0 lead. Top four in the lineup each have two hits and two RBIs. Steve Bowser homers, Ken "Not the Gambler" Rogers triples.

Friday, June 13
Red Springs 3, Smithfield-Selma 0: Third shutout of the week gives the Robins the series sweep at home! Pitcher Dan McSwain is masterful with a complete-game five-hitter (9Ks). The bullpen is getting steadier but manager Elijah Crabtree also has been stretching out his starters.

Red Springs (11-10) breaks over .500 for the first time this season!

The bad news? Pitcher Estevan Hernandez is lost for the season with an elbow injury. Tommy John for him. In four games, he was 1-0 with a 1.77 ERA. Ouch. Also 2B Mario Sanchez reaggravated a hamstring injury and will be slowed for about three more weeks.

Red Springs only had five starting pitchers on its roster until the injury. Steve Brewington, who didn't get drafted or picked up by anyone, was hastily signed to fill the No. 5 pitcher's slot. Scouts like his leadership ability but cringe at his pitching skills. "He doesn't overwhelm with his stuff, he has control issues and home runs are a problem." Oh boy.