It wasn’t for the CPL South Championship this time, but the Tobs got back at the SwampDogs (photo courtesy of Wanda West) for smoking them 11-3 Monday night to win the crown.

The Tobs (2-0, 19-11) would benefit from two big innings and a solid start by Tim Adleman (W: 3-2) as they beat the SwampDogs (1-2, 17-12) by the score of 8-1 at Historic Fleming Stadium.

The SwampDogs are now 4-3 against Wilson this season and fall to 2-2 at Fleming Stadium, where they have been responsible for two of the three Tobs’ home losses this year.

Fayetteville got its first run back in the 3rd when Brendan Rowland drove in Nathaniel Lami from second on an RBI single to center. The RBI for Rowland gave him 22 on the season as he continues to lead the SwampDogs in runs batted in.

SwampDogs starter Matt Kole (L: 0-1) pitched three solid innings of shutout ball before he ran into his first bit of trouble for the Dogs in the bottom of the 4th. With two outs and a runner on first, Kole gave up four hits in a row: a single to Jake Astor, an RBI double by Rob Folsom and an RBI single to Matt Johns for a quick three runs to make it 3-1 Wilson. Kole pitched four innings, giving up seven hits, three runs and a strikeout while walking none.

Wilson would add another in the 5th inning when Greg Robinson came in to relieve Kole. After retiring the first two Tobs he faced, Robinson struggled with his command, giving up three walks, one of which walked in a run with Rob Folsom at the dish to make it 4-1 Tobs.

In the 8th, the Tobs put the ball game away with a four run 8th inning. Michael Raia, who had lowered his ERA down to 3.77 after a slow start, struggled in his inning of work. Raia gave up a 2-RBI triple to Bobby Leeper, an RBI single to Ellis Lowe, a double to Justin Vasquez and a sacrifice fly RBI to Zach Johnson to increase Wilson’s advantage to 8-1.

The SwampDogs will return to sweet home JP Riddle Stadium Friday night as they’ll look to take the second game of the home-and-home against the Tobs. Friday’s game is the SwampDogs Annual Salute to America Fireworks Night with a special opening time at 6:35PM. Gates open at 5PM.

W: Adleman (3-2), L: Kole (0-1), S: Dobbins (1), Attendance: 2139, Time: 2:44

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.