Edenton, NC – When the game was on the line the Steamers bullpen came through. The Edenton Steamers defeated the Wake Forest Fungo, 6-5, Saturday night at Historic Hicks Field. The teal and black came back in the middle innings on six runs and shut down pitching on the hill.
The Clams trailed 2-0 with little production against Wake Forest starter Joe Fredericks. Fredericks limited the Steamers to just two hits and one walk through the first four.
In the bottom of the fifth, Fungo Head Coach Jake Jones went to the bullpen, and the floodgates opened.
Wake Forest reliever Chris Gruskin walked four straight Steamers to bring in a run to make the score 2-1. One batter later with the bases loaded, extra hitter Luke Myers flew out to left field to tie the game at 2.
The very next inning the Clams offense came to life.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Steamers rattled off five straight hits, six straight batters reached base, and 4 runs across. The Clams recorded four singles, reached on a fielding error, and the only extra-base hit an RBI triple by third baseman Khris Morris.
Steamers right fielder Geomar Santana recorded one of his two hits on the night in the sixth while also recording an outfield assist.
After the game, Santana kept it simple at the plate during the big spot.
“Just do your job,” Santana said. “Just helping the team win the game.”
On the pitching side, Clams starter Reuben Costin struggled for a second consecutive start. The left-handed pitcher went 2/3 of an inning allowing two runs, four walks, and two hits.
Costin started the season with 4.2 scoreless innings in the 12-6 victory over Clayton out of relief. In the 3.2 innings since the Chesterfield VA native has given up seven earned runs with eight walks allowed.
Right-handed arm Alex Gianascoli relieved Costin and started to sit down the Fungo. Gianascoli earned the win going the next 5.1 innings allowing two hits, three walks, three strikeouts, and no runs.
It was the first appearance for the Clams reliever since May 21st against Lebonan Valley College as a member of the University of Lynchburg.
In the seventh inning, the Fungo put up three runs against Tyrus Baumgardner in his third season back with the Clams to bring the game within one.
After dodging some trouble on the base paths in the 8th and the 9th, Hank Downum and John Horton combined to get the final six outs to secure the win.
Edenton has now won eight straight games against exhibition (non-PCL) teams dating back to 2021, two of those wins have come against the Fungo.
The Steamers’ next matchup will be another exhibition matchup at Historic Hicks Field Sunday afternoon. The teal and black will play host to the Carolina Disco Turkeys for the teams’ first-ever matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 pm.
If you cannot make it to the game you can tune into the Steamers YouTube page, your home for every Steamers home game, and a select few road games.
