Spartanburg Drops Doubleheader, But Wins Division By Virtue Of Chaos
Web Posted July 16, 2010
Cameron Aiken

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Despite being swept in a doubleheader by Statesville Friday evening at Russell C. King Field, the Spartanburg Blue Eagles wrapped up the first SCBL West Division championship in team history.

By virtue of the Tennessee Tornado’s loss to the Carolina Chaos Friday afternoon in Johnson City, the Blue Eagles won the West with a 13-5 record against divisional opponents and will be the #1 seed in the playoffs when they begin on Monday night. Statesville, Spartanburg’s opponent on Friday night, plays in the SCBL East Division, while both the Tornado and the Chaos are in the West. Tennessee finished with a 12-6 record within the division and will be the second seed.

All the action in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader took place in the first inning. Clemson’s Addison Johnson doubled and advanced to third before scoring on Matt Moore’s fielding error with two outs. After walks to Alex Dozier and Brody Greer in the bottom half of the frame, Josh Pless got an infield hit on a bunt down the third base line. That would be the only hit of the game for Spartanburg, as starter Charles Wolfe pitched out of the inning without allowing a run to score. Wolfe pitched three innings of scoreless, one-hit ball despite walking seven batters and striking out none. In the seven-inning contest, the Blue Eagles had ten baserunners but were unable to score a run.

Taylor Johnson took a two-hit shutout into the sixth inning of Game 2, but was lifted after a one-out walk. But reliever David Mullins gave up consecutive two-out singles, allowing a run to come home. Gaither Bumgardner doubled down the right field line in the bottom of the sixth, but Josh Pless flied out to left field on the first pitch he saw to end the threat. After Spartanburg got a one-out baserunner in the seventh, Statesville turned a double play to end the game and seal their second consecutive win by a score of 1-0.

Despite the losses, Spartanburg will host a first-round playoff game Monday night against the Carolina Chaos at 7:00. All tickets will be $5, and the first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free “Spirit Towel” provided by Coca-Cola of Spartanburg. Should Spartanburg win on Monday night, they will host the winner of Tennessee and Asheville on Tuesday at Russell C. King Field.