Bats Quiet as HiToms Blanked In Wilmington

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Starting pitcher Beau Dees threw seven shutout innings Monday night as the Wilmington Sharks defeated the High Point-Thomasville HiToms 3-0.

The Sharks (2-4) did the bulk of their offensive damage in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs and runners at second and third, left fielder Christian Wolfe chopped a RBI infield single to third but a throwing error allowed both runners to score. Cam McRae knocked in Wilmington’s third tally of the game with a hard RBI single to right field in the bottom of the sixth.

On offense, the HiToms (2-3) mustered only five hits all game but still had opportunities to score. In the top of the eighth, Spencer Mahoney (jr., Valparaiso) reached on an error at short to start. Right behind him, Jared Allen (jr., Middle Tennessee State) ripped a single to put two runners on with nobody out. But the HiToms could not take advantage as a strikeout and a double play ended the frame.

Wilmington left-hander Beau Dees (1-1) weaved into and out of danger in his seven-inning shutout start allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out five. Reliever Will Shepley followed him with an inning of scoreless relief in the eighth and Kyler Stout slammed the door in the ninth by striking out the side to earn his first save. HiToms southpaw starter Pat Dyer (jr., Akron, 0-1) drew the loss while allowing three runs – only one earned – and striking out six in five-and-two-thirds innings pitched.

The HiToms play the second of three games away from home as they face the Morehead City Marlins Tuesday evening at Big Rock Stadium. First pitch is at 7:05 P.M.