By: Sammy Johnson

The Pilots lost their third straight game tonight, falling to the Holly Springs Salamanders on the road 7-1. The bats never got hot for Peninsula, with nobody recording a multi-hit game. Walks also hurt the Pilots tonight, allowing six total. 

The Salamanders took a lead with a sacrifice fly to deep left field in the bottom of the second inning. They continued the scoring with a run on a double steal and another on a balk. After two full innings, it was 3-0 Salamanders. 

Holly Springs extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth with two runs scored on an RBI double and a triple.

Ethan Ott (UNC Pembroke) chipped away at the lead in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly to make the game 5-1. 

The Salamanders got the run back and more later in the game, scoring two runs in the top of the ninth to make it 7-1. 

Breydan Martino (Hunter Jr. College) got the start tonight in his debut with the team. He struggled with control early, walking three batters in his two innings pitched. In two innings, he gave up three runs on two hits. 

Vincent Bashara (Old Dominion) had a long outing in relief, pitching five innings after Martino. He did his job well, only giving up two runs and keeping his team within striking distance. 

The Pilots are back at home tomorrow at 7 PM for a rematch against the Salamanders.