By: Evan Rogers

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — In a makeup game from last Friday, the Holly Springs Salamanders (11-6) fell to the Wilson Tobs (12-6), 7-3, at Ting Stadium. 

After both teams were held scoreless in the first inning, first baseman Alberto Osuna opened up the scoring. The sophomore from UNC bombed a solo shot in the bottom of the second inning — a blast that traveled 423 feet. 

But, the lead for the Salamanders was short lived. In the following frame, right fielder Mason Sykes cracked a three-run homer to the right-field concourse to give Wilson its first lead of the night, 3-1. 

Then for the next three innings, both squads exchanged scoreless frames. 

However, the scoring drought was broken by an offensive onslaught from the Tobs. In the top of the sixth inning Matt Schark geared a solo shot off the scoreboard to extend Wilson’s lead to four. Shortly after, Scott Mackiewicz bested his teammate’s home run with a the Tob’s second three-run home bomb of the game, giving Wilson a 7-1 advantage. 

However, Holly Springs refused to go away. In the bottom frame of the same inning, catcher Robert Brooks launched a two-run shot to left field, helping the Salamanders claw within four runs. 

Despite lead-off man Brett Callahan drawing a walk in the game’s final inning, Holly Springs’ rally fell short and the Tobs took the win, 7-3.

With the loss, the Salamanders’ perfect home record comes to an end. Yet in the defeat, Osuna shined again, skying Holly Springs’ deepest homer of the season while Brooks chipped in his first home run of the year. 

The Salamanders hit the road for a midweek battle against the Tri-City Chili Peppers on Tuesday. First pitch for the in-division bout is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.