’Wolves fall in extra innings

WILSON, N.C. — Wilson scored on Justin Vasquez’s bases-loaded, RBI fielder’s choice in the bottom of the tenth inning to earn an 8-7 win over the Florence RedWolves on Monday in Coastal Plain League action.

The loss drops Florence (12-11) a game and a half back of South Division leader Fayetteville. The SwampDogs had an exhibition game Monday.

The RedWolves got out to an early lead behind Preston Shuey and Barrett Kleinknecht. Shuey doubled in two runs in the second inning and Kleinknecht did the same in the third as Florence built a 7-3 lead after five innings.

But the Tobs were not done, and Vasquez was just getting started.

Still trailing 7-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Vasquez launched a two-out, three-run homer to knot the game at 7-7. Vasquez was 2-for-5 with four RBI to lead Wilson.

“We had a couple of calls that didn’t go our way, and he put a good swing on the ball,” Florence coach Wes Davis said. “... But that’s kind of the life of a reliever. Nick Schreiber battled hard for us, but we just weren’t able to hang on to the lead.”

Steven Neff (0-2) took the loss for Florence after loading the bases in the 10th without getting an out before Vasquez’s heroics.

Jason Sullivan (3-0) picked up the win for the Tobs after allowing no hits and no runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Brad Raj got a no decision after giving up three runs on eight hits in six innings for the RedWolves.

Shuey drove in three runs and Kleinknecht had two doubles to lead the RedWolves. Raj was 3-for-5 and Richard Pirkle added two hits as well.

Bobby Leeper had three hits to lead Wilson. Zach Johnson went 2-for-2.