RedWolves split with Tobs

WILSON, N.C. — Steven Neff’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning helped the Florence RedWolves to a 2-1 win over Wilson in game one of a doubleheader Tuesday.

Wilson won the second game 3-2.

The split keeps Florence a game back of Wilson in the South Division standings.

In the opener, Florence jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on Barrett Kleinknecht’s sacrifice fly to score Zach Caldwell.

Wilson tied it in the fourth on Jake Astor’s solo home run off Matt Sparks.

Sparks (1-0) went the distance to pick up the win for the RedWolves, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out four.

“He was dominant,” Florence coach Wes Davis said of Sparks.

“He was great and is a proven pitcher that joined us last week. And we are really happy to have him.”

Jerris Springfield took the loss in relief.

In the second game, Wilson scored a run in the second and two more in the fifth before the Redwolves attempted a comeback in the sixth inning.

Herman Petzold had an RBI single and Tyler Burnett scored on a wild pitch to pull Florence within 3-2.

But Richard Pirkle grounded out to end the threat.

Kleinknecht led Florence with two hits.

Brad Raj (2-2) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on three hits while striking out six.

“Brad was good out there for us,” Davis said. “We just we left some guys out there on base and were one base hit away away from breaking it open a couple times.
“That’s been the story of our season but I’m proud of the way we played. If we finally starting getting the hit we need each game, I think we got a chance to be pretty special.”

Jesse Hernandez (3-3) picked up the win and Jason Sullivan got his 12th save.

Florence is at Columbia tonight.

Patrick Dolan will start for the RedWolves tonight against the Blowfish.