HOLLY SPRINGS, NC – The Salamanders were able to complete the weekend sweep of their new affiliate team the South Wake Shakes on Sunday night by the score of 6-3. The Salamanders win both preseason exhibition games by a combined score of 15-8.
Jake Sanderson, the winning pitcher, went a full six innings with 13K’s and only gave up a single hit. The Holly Springs pitching staff combined for 18K’s and would only allow 5 hits, 3 in the final half-inning.
Leadoff man Tanner Roach would steal 2nd base and come around on a Ben Miller single. Miller would score on a wild pitch for a 2-0 after the 1st inning.
Darius Nobles would homer with the bases empty, in the bottom of the third extending the lead to three.
NC State product Josh Hood would doubleRoach and Zach Ferrell would both cross home plate in the fifth giving the Salamanders a 5-run lead. Ferrell would score a second time in the sixth to score the final run for the home team.
The Shakes however, would not go away without a fight. Johnny McDonald would homer over the scoreboard to score two runs with no outs in the top of the ninth inning. Devon Rodriguez drove in Patrick Trease to bring the Shakes within three.
With Braden McMillian at the plate and the bases loaded, the Salamanders would turn a 6-4 double play to end the threat and clinch the victory by a final of 6-3.
The Salamanders will begin their CPL quest for a championship on Thursday as they travel to Florence to take on the Red Wolves. The ‘Manders will return to Ting Stadium on Friday the 28th to face the Tri-City Chili Peppers.