Team Red rallies for stunning series win

At one point down three games to one in the best-of-seven 2010 Francis Marion University Fall World Series, Team Red seemed doomed to defeat. Blue team members even went so far as to bring out sparkling grape juice to the dugout for Game Five in anticipation of their post-game celebration. That may have been the motivation Red needed as they stormed back for three straight wins to shock Team Blue with a 3-2 game-seven win to clinch the fall classic title.

In the opening game of the final day doubleheader (Game Six), righty Jarrot Hooks threw five innings of one-hit ball to outduel Corey Carver 2-0. Hooks walked one and struck out three and Red provided all the offense they would need in the first. Martin Gordon and Brooks Arnette both singled and then scored when Chris Honeycutt hammered a ball off of first baseman Preston Shuey’s glove into right field. Hooks seemed in control throughout as only one Blue baserunner reached second base.

Team Blue appeared to be back in control in the first inning of Game Seven when Red starter Andrew Gallant  gave up two runs on a pair of walks, a hit batter, and two base hits. He was able to strand three to end the inning however, getting Dalton Gress to ground into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded.

After that, Gallant would settle down, allowing only two baserunners over the next three innings. Blue handed the ball to senior right-hander Phillip Mozingo for the decisive game. Red would get on the board in the second frame when freshman Justin Turbeville singled home Michael Wilson to cut the margin to 2-1. In the third inning, back-to-back singles by Tyler Boyd and Arnette were followed by RBI singles from Honeycutt and Wilson to give Red what would be the go ahead runs and a 3-2 lead. Sam Pepper threw a perfect final inning for Red to slam the door, striking out two.

Team Blue seemed in shock following their series collapse. “In the end, we just couldn’t score enough runs to win the series," said Blue coach Joe Wagstaff. "The guys played hard and I’m still very proud of them despite the way the series ended up.” Blue Team manager Preston Shuey was also proud of his team’s effort. “We played hard, but ultimately just got outplayed. Coach Honeycutt and his team did a great job not giving up.”

Red Team coach Tyler Lehman confirmed that the anticipatory celebration gave his squad some added motivation. “Kudos to the Blue Team for a well-played series, but I think they jinxed themselves by buying the sparkling grape juice and it sparked the big bad wolf in the Red Team.”