By: Evan Rogers

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Behind an offensive explosion late in the game, the Holly Springs Salamanders (14-10) defeated the Martinsville Mustangs (11-13), 14-7, Sunday night at Ting Stadium. 

The Mustangs opened up an early lead in the first frame. After a hit-by-pitch and walk put two runners on for Martinsville, right fielder Justin Fugitt (Purdue) one-hopped a 2-RBI double off the right field wall. 

Trailing by two runs, the Salamanders answered in the next inning as shortstop Luke Heefner (Dallas Baptist) laced a single up the center gap to notched two base runners for Holly Springs. Moments later, catcher Jack Roode (Sewanee) soared his first home run for the season with a three-run blast to right field. 

By the end of the fourth inning, the Salamanders increased their lead behind RBIs from right fielder Patrick Alavarez (UNC) and Roode. 

However, the Mustangs stuck around as third baseman Tyler Ross’s (Bowling Green) line drive to left field plated the tying run for Martinsville in the top of the fifth inning.

In the bottom half of the same inning, Holly Springs answered in style. With runners on first and second base, center fielder Nathan Humphreys (Dallas Baptist) moonshot a three-run bomb out of the park, helping the Salamanders regain the lead, 8-5.

Humphrey’s blast ignited Holly Springs’ offense, as in the next two innings the Salamanders plated six runs. The quick swing was highlighted by Roode’s fifth and sixth RBI of the night which were notched by a 2-RBI single in the sixth inning.

In the 14-7 win, Holly Springs’ barrels were blazing across the entire lineup. Yet, Roode and Humphrey’s bats stood above the rest, as both players launched three-run bombs to help the Salamanders pull away. 

Holly Springs kicks off its second half of the Coastal Plain League season against the High Point-Thomasville HiTops on Wednesday. First pitch at Ting Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.