A gritty performance by Spencer Patton and two early back-to-back two run innings helped the Owls hold off a late inning SwampDogs rally as Forest City hung on to beat the SwampDogs (photo by Lance King) at JP Riddle Stadium by the score of 5-4.

The crowd of 2,346 watched the SwampDogs (10-8, 26-18) rally for four runs late against the number one ranked collegiate baseball team in America in the Owls (40-6, 16-3) who with their victory, clinched the #1 overall seeding in the Coastal Plain League Petitt Cup Championship which will be begin on August 6th.

The Owls got to SwampDogs starter Matt McGovern with two runs in both the 2nd and 3rd innings. Cameron McConnell and Travis Bass both lined RBI singles to right to give Forest City a 2-0 lead after two. Then in the following inning, Grant Buckner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 3-0. Brian Burton followed with an RBI single to left that put the Owls on top 4-0. McGovern would go 6+ innings, giving up five runs, 12 hits while walking two and striking out five.

Later in the 5th, the SwampDogs would add on two runs off of Owls starter Spencer Patton to cut the deficit in half. Eric Grabe got the Dogs their first run with a sacrifice fly RBI to right field that brought home Austin Lasprilla. A few batters later, Brendan Rowland delivered a clutch two out RBI single to center that scored Nathaniel Lami that made the score 4-2 Owls. Patton went seven innings, giving up two runs, six hits, three walks and nine strikeouts.

The SwampDogs would have their big opportunity in the 8th inning. With Forest City leading 5-2 after a 7th inning RBI double by Marty Gant, the SwampDogs loaded up the bases with one out in the inning. After Nathaniel Lami struck out swinging against Josh Biggers to make it two outs, Eric Grabe was hit by a pitch to score Matt Kole from third and that was it for Biggers. Conner Thomsen came in and walked Michael Niemann, scoring Airlon Vinson to make it a 5-4 ball game. Unfortunately, that’s where the rally would end, as Brendan Rowland flew out to right field to end the SwampDogs scoring attack.

Thompson, a regular starter for the Owls, came on with two outs and the bases loaded in the 8th inning for his first relief appearance of the season. After the walk and the fly-out in the 8th, he got the Dogs 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9th for his first save of the season.
The SwampDogs will head to Wilmington for their final matchup of the season with the Sharks at Buck Hardee Field before hosting them in back-to-back matchups at JP Riddle Stadium Sunday and Monday afternoon. First pitch at “The Shark Tank” is at 7:05pm Saturday.

W: Patton (8-0), L: McGovern (4-2), SV: Thompson (1), Attendance: 2,346, Time: 3:30

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 13th season, the Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at http://www.coastalplain.com.