By: Evan Rogers

HOLLY SPRINGS N.C. — Sometimes all it takes is one batter, and a single hit, to rewrite the trajectory of a game.

And, in the Salamanders’ 4-2 come-from-behind win against the Asheboro Zookeepers, Brett Callahan’s triple in the eighth inning paved the way for Holly Springs’ late-game heroics.  

Before any hints of a Salamanders victory could come into the fold at Ting Stadium, starting pitcher Michael Osmond had his prints stamped all over the contest for the Zookeepers. In his six innings of work, the first-year from Wittenberg College held Holly Springs scoreless.

“(Osmond) did a really nice job,” head coach Brian Rountree said. “He didn’t pitch outside of himself and we let him get a little comfortable”

But by the seventh inning, Asheboro took its ace off the mound as the Zookeepers turned to their bullpen. Though a seemingly expected change, the switch from a left to right-handed pitcher was all Holly Springs needed to erase its 2-0 deficit. 

Suddenly, new life was found.

Jack Winsett’s lead-off single in the eighth was followed by a bunt single by catcher Jacob Godman to give Holly Springs its first runner in scoring position. 

And up to bat for the Salamanders came Callahan. Coming into Saturday night’s bout, the first-year from Saint Joseph’s held a blistering .407 batting average and was fresh off launching his second home run of the season against the Wilmington Sharks. 

Batting in the lead-off spot, Callahan isn’t your every day one-hole guy. The center fielder attacks early pitches, and rarely sees a fastball get blown by him. So, when pitcher Lance Blaszak lasered a fastball down the seam with a 1-2 count, Callahan capitalized. 

Thwack.

The ball was sent flying towards the outfield wall, where it rebounded off into center fielder Seth Werchan’s glove.

As one run scored, Rountree waved his catcher home in hopes of clinching the tying run. However, as Godman darted down the third-base line, Asheboro looked to have him beat. About 30-feet from a tie game, the Zookeepers’ relay was nearly complete. But, Chase Waddell fumbled the final pass for the Zookeepers as Godman neared him. 

Leaping, twisting and sliding his way in, Godman touched home while Waddell was left searching for the baseball in his lap.

Tie game.

“I shouldn’t have tagged up there, but I was running hard the whole way,” Godman said. “When I saw he dropped (the ball) I was so happy because I was out”

For the first time, the Salamanders had gained momentum — a feat used later in the inning to not only drive in Callahan, but an insurance run.

As Holly Springs took its first lead of the game, the man of the hour scampered back to the dugout. There, Callahan was met by a mop of yellow and blue.

“It’s a great moment,” he said. “My blood was pumping and the crowd was going crazy.”

And behind the effort of Callahan’s barrel, the Salamanders completed their comeback win to improve to 7-5, and just one game outside of first place in the East Division. 

More importantly though, for a roster that’s still young and getting familiar with one another, the comradery amongst Holly Springs looks to be coming together at the right time.

“Our team is really starting to galvanize,” Rountree said.