HOLLY SPRINGS, NC- The Holly Springs Salamanders defeated the Asheboro Copperheads in the final game of the de facto series by a score of 5-2.  The Salamanders used their effective hitting in the first half of the contest to secure the third victory over the Copperheads this season.

Will Sandy, UNC, made his salamander debut tonight throwing three scoreless innings before the bullpen took over the night.  Six different pitchers would close the game for Holly Springs, each respectively throwing one inning.

DH, Baxter Halligan, and 2B, Brice Martinez, would start the scoring both coming around with two outs in the second frame for Holly Springs.  Halligan would not record an official AB as he was walked three times and hit by a pitch.

Catcher Rudy Maxwell singled to left field that brought Cash Young in to score run number three for the Sals’ offense.

Halligan would score again in the fourth on an RBI from Chris Thorburn, that would prove to be the only run tallied in the fourth inning.  Holly Springs lead 4-0 through seven complete innings.

The Copperheads would not go down without a fight as they put the Salamander defense in a high-pressure situation in the top of the eighth.  Patrick Alvarez and Andrew Hernandez, who both walked to begin the inning would come around to score to cut the lead to 4-2.  PH Hunter Stokley, who drove in the second of those runs, was back picked by Maxwell at third base to end the inning with runners on the corners.

After going 0-4 in his previous at bats, Josh Hood would add one more homerun to his resume.  A two out solo shot to left center extended the Salamander lead back to three.  That result would hold, and Holly Springs would win 5-2.

The first pitcher out of the bullpen Greyson Bailey (1-0) is credited with his first win of the year.  Michael Osmond (0-1) is tagged with his first loss of the season for the Copperheads.  Hunter Stevens (0-0-3) finished off the night not allowing any hits and three strikeouts, earning himself his third save of the year.