The 2010 season didn’t start quite the way the Fayetteville SwampDogs had hoped it would.  After no practices and very little preparation time because of weather and school baseball, the group of SwampDogs from colleges and universities all across the nation fell by the score of 8-5 at American Legion Stadium in Florence, S.C. to open the 2010 campaign. 

Fayetteville struck first in the ballgame as Nick Natoli (Towson) reached on an error to start the 2010 season for the SwampDogs.  Natoli took advantage of the Florence error by stealing second and third before being driven in by second-year SwampDog Eric Grabe (Tampa).

The SwampDogs held a 1-0 lead before Florence exploded in the bottom of the fifth inning for six runs.  Trez Ramirez (Wingate) led off the fifth with a single and reached third after SwampDogs center fielder Jimmy Roesinger (Dayton) misplayed the ball in centerfield, resulting in a two-base error.  The inning was all downhill from there.  Five more RedWolves got hits in the inning as Florence took a 6-1 lead.  The RedWolves tacked on two more runs (one of which was unearned) in the sixth inning to complete their scoring.

The SwampDogs rallied for three runs in the eighth inning.  Grabe once again provided an RBI double, while Corey LeVier (San Diego) hit a towering home run to right field.  Grabe finished the night 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs.  Outfielder Jay Cannon (Brunswick CC) also had a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 himself.

Nate Cudney (Belmont Abbey) got the start and took the loss for the SwampDogs after going four and a third innings and giving up five runs on five hits.  Alex Burkard (Georgia College and State) provided a bright spot for the SwampDogs as he shined in relief, throwing two scoreless innings. 

The SwampDogs are back in action tomorrow night in their home opener from “The Swamp.” It’s Magnet Schedule Giveaway Night with the first 500 fans receiving a 2010 SwampDogs Magnet Schedule, courtesy of Freeman, Barrett & Johnson, CPAs and Harris Wholesale.  First pitch is set for 7:05. 

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 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. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 700 alumni drafted and 36 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

Adam Young

(910) 426-5900