East falls 3-2 in CPL All-Star Game

TOBS NOTEBOOK

HOLLY SPRINGS — Despite a Wilson Tobs-led rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, the East All-Stars came up short 3-2 against the West on Sunday in the Coastal Plain League’s first all-star game since 2019.

 

Tobs outfielder Mason Sykes, a late addition to the East roster, entered the game at Ting Stadium in left field in the top of the ninth with the West ahead 3-1. He then led off the bottom of the frame with a double and advanced to third base on teammate Efry Cervantes’ groundout.

With a third straight Tob at the plate in Matt Schark, Sykes darted home on a wild pitch by the West’s Brett Porthan to narrow the lead to one. However, Porthan recovered to strike out Schark and fan Zack Miller to preserve the win.

The East’s other run was also scored by a Tob when starting right fielder Ethan Ott led off the bottom of the fifth by reaching on a two-base error by West third baseman Eli Wiesner and later scored on Tab Mongero’s sacrifice fly.

The West scratched out an unearned run on Wilson pitcher Brent Francisco, who plunked Indiana Stanley to lead off the fifth. Stanley stole second and third and scored on Mongero’s error at third. Trent Harris preceded his Tobs teammate Francisco with a scoreless fourth inning, allowing one hit and striking out a pair.

Sykes and Cervantes had two of the East’s five hits while the West managed six hits. Trey Paige, who played center field, went 0 for 2 while backup third baseman Jacob McCaskey was 0 for 1 as the other Wilson players in the game.

SHORT SECOND ‘HALF’

With just 15 games remaining on the CPL schedule for the Tobs, there’s still some work to be done to secure a Petitt Cup playoff spot.

Wilson has the third-best overall record at 20-11 (.645) behind Morehead City (25-9, .735) in the East Division and Savannah (24-9, .727) in the West. The Tobs, 4-3 in the second half, trail the Marlins by a game and a half with the Wilmington Sharks in second place just a game back.

Wilson starts a busy two-and-a-half-week stretch Tuesday at Fleming Stadium against the Sharks, one of eight remaining home games. The Tobs will play Morehead City twice more, both at Fleming, including Thursday.