HOLLY SPRINGS, NC – After going on a three-game losing streak, the Holly Springs Salamanders were looking to make something happen. In their first game of the weekend, the team took down the top ranked Peninsula Pilots 4-3 in extras.  

The Salamanders gave up a two-run home run to Peninsula’s Carlos Pena (Indiana State), making it a 2-0 lead for the Pilots in the sixth inning. At the top of the seventh, the Pilots added one more run to make it a 3-0 ball game.  

The Salamanders were ready to respond in Manders fashion.  

A single from Rom Kellis (University of North Carolina) put a runner on base at the bottom of the seventh. Parker McCoy (University of North Carolina) stepped up to the plate looking to make noise. Right as the lightning struck, McCoy hit a home run to left field making the score 3-2.   

The game then went into a lightning delay for approximately 30 minutes. During that time, the Salamanders stayed locked in ready to take back the game and get a win.  

Following the delay, the game remained 3-2 until the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Kellis stepped back up to the plate. On an 0-2 count, Kellis drove a ball to deep right field, tying the game with a solo home run. 

After two consecutive groundouts, it was time for extra innings! 

The Pilots started the tenth with runners on first and second – a new rule in the Coastal Plain League. An infield single from Jaxson Wall (Felician) gave the Pilots bases loaded and no outs. Things looked concerning for the Salamanders, but Scott Rouse (Kentucky) was up for the task. Two flyouts and a groundout ended the top of the tenth scoreless, and the Salamanders’ offense was ready for their turn. 

An international tiebreaker rule once again put runners on first and second for the Salamanders. After a failed pickoff attempt leading to those runners advancing to second and third, Anthony Mitta (Mount Olive) was intentionally walked making it bases loaded.  

Trenton Lyons (Kennesaw State) stepped up to the plate. On the first pitch of his at-bat, he hit a sac fly that scored TJ Sunderhaus (Georgia Highlands) to give the Salamanders a 4-3 win over the Pilots to start the Salamanders “Appreciation Weekend” in Ting Stadium. 

The Salamanders are back in action tomorrow to take on the Tri-City Chili Peppers for Military Appreciation Night sponsored by Military Missions in Action (MMIA). First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. and gates open at 5:30.