HOLLY SPRINGS, NC – Wild, crazy, insane. Describe it how you want to describe it.
An eleven-run top half of the fifth inning propelled the Marlins to a dominant 15-1 win over the Salamanders in just seven innings, due to the 12-run mercy rule, at Ting Stadium on Tuesday night.
“Tonight was obviously a great night for us,” Marlins head coach Jesse Lancaster said. “We were squaring up balls and Lavallee was great. We are dangerous when we have a lot of guys going at the same time, and that’s exactly what happened tonight.”
It started out with a 3-spot in the top of the second inning, thanks a solo home run from Jack Harris (Newberry) and RBIs from Conner VanCleave (Pitt State) and Jordan Johnson (Arkansas-Monticello). Holly Springs would respond with its only run of the night in the bottom of the second. The Marlins tacked on another in the top of the fourth inning, which was followed up by 11 runs in the fifth.
Harris dominated tonight, going 2 for 3 in four at bats with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Harris was not the only one with a homer though, as Sean Johnson (Belmont Abbey) got one of his own with a solo home run in the high-scoring eleventh inning. Zack Miller (Catawba) continued his hot streak, going 2 for 2 with a single, double, walk and a hit by pitch. The Salamanders didn’t get him out.
Phillip Glasser (Youngstown State) also had a big night, going 3 for 5 with an RBI. Justin Johnson (Lafayette) went 3 for 4 with an RBI, and Jordan Johnson (Arkansas-Monticello) went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.
Johnathan Lavallee (Long Beach State) was strong as well, striking out eight and giving up only one run and two hits. The Simi Valley, CA product’s performance was more than enough to earn his second win on the season. His season ERA is 1.58.
Eleven runs in an inning is the most ever in franchise history. The Marlins will look to keep the bats hot tomorrow in an exhibition matchup against the Edenton Steamers. First pitch from The Rock is set for 7:05.