The Sanford Spinners had a strong week, going 2-1 over three games including an 11-1 home victory over the division rival Sandhills (Pinehurst) Bogeys on Thursday night.
The wins bring the Spinners’ record in the summer collegiate level Old North State League’s Southeastern Division to 4-6 (6-6 including non division games), good for fourth place. The Brunswick (Southport) Surfin’ Turfs lead the division at 8-2, with the Bogeys in second at 5-4 and the Hope Mills Rockfish in third at 5-5.
The week started Tuesday with a 7-4 victory over the Surfin’ Turfs in Southport. The Spinners took the lead early, scoring five runs in the first two innings, four of which came on a grand slam from third baseman Pierce Bouwman. Outfielder Will Newton had a single and a double, and scored three runs. Pitcher Ethan pitched four-plus innings and recorded 14 outs, and Eddie Thompson earned the win.
The Spinners came back home to Tramway Park adjacent to Southern Lee High School on Wednesday for a matchup with the Jacksonville Ospreys. The game, limited to seven innings due to a late arrival by Jacksonville, was close throughout but ended 5-4 in the seventh inning after the Ospreys took the lead.
On Thursday, the blowout win over the Bogeys started as a pitchers’ duel before the Spinners scored a single run in the fifth inning, two more in the sixth, and four runs each in the seventh and eighth. The Bogeys added one run in the eighth inning, but once the Spinners were ahead by 10 runs, the league’s mercy rule caused the game to end early.
Offensive contributions included doubles from first baseman Aaron Kimbel, catcher Ashton Donathan, outfielder Christian Grino, and outfielder Cash Riley. The lineup combined for nine stolen bases.
On the mound, starter Kaden Varela-Payne earned the win going six innings with eight strikeouts and one walk.
The Spinners are on the road for the weekend with a non division matchup against the Tarboro River Bandits on Friday, and divisional games against the Ospreys (Saturday) and Rockfish (Sunday).
The Spinners close out June with a non division home game against the Oak City (Raleigh) Gliders on Monday, June 24, and another non division home matchup on Friday, June 28 against the Carolina White Sox, a non Old North State League team based in Jackson Springs.
All upcoming home games are at 7 p.m. Tickets ($8 for 13 and up, $4 for 6-12, free for kids under 5) to home games can be purchased at games or online at www.sanfordspinners.com.