The North Main Athletic Complex (NMAC) may not have been fully completed, but enough of it was in order to ensure that the certificate of occupancy was in hand when the Coastal Plain League’s (CPL) newest franchise, the Holly Springs Salamanders, took to the field.
As a member of the collegiate wood bat development league based out of Holly Springs, the Salamanders provided a storybook ending to a sold out, standing-room only crowd of 2,189 who witnessed the team’s first-ever game played at the NMAC on Thurs., May 28th.
They christened their new field, an artificial turf surface save for the dirt pitcher’s mound, with a 7-6 comeback win over the Edenton Steamers as Nick Hernandez’s lone hit of the night on five at-bats brought second baseman Michael Sconzo in to win the game in the bottom of the ninth.
“I want our guys to be the type of team that never gives up,” Salamanders coach Andrew Ciencin, an N.C. State grad, said.
“Nine innings, I asked those guys to play hard every time. That’s all I want out of them. Obviously tonight we had the team that can do that. It’s never gonna’ give up and keep on goin’ and it showed tonight.”
Holly Springs High School grads Andrew Wantz, the team’s starting pitcher who plays at UNC-Greensboro, and Joey Roach, a catcher at Georgia Southern, took it all in with smiles on their faces.
Roach in particular flashed a grin from ear-to-ear, not only because his team won, but also for the fact that he hit the team’s first-ever home run in the park.
“It was really exciting,” Roach said of watching the ball get over the right field fence.
“The fans tonight were electric – it was a great atmosphere, great first game. I was lucky enough to get one out of the park, almost storybook like.”
With baseball fans and curious residents alike in attendance, and even watching from the sidewalk along Main Street, the town’s parks and recreation staff and political leaders were happy to see such a buzz around the concourse and throughout the stands.
“We really feel this is gonna’ be the social hub of Holly Springs,” town manager Chuck Simmons said of the facility.
“Today we see the Salamanders and they’re probably the most visible entity, but we’re also planning concerts and festivals. This is gonna’ be a gathering place year-round. We’re really excited about that.”
The Salamanders started their inaugural season with some quick success, winning their first-ever game on the road, a 5-2 decision over the Asheboro Copperheads, two days before making their debut in front of their hometown crowd.
They won three of their first five, before losing three of their next five.
As is typical for play in the CPL, home field advantage is critical during a 56-game season that leaves very little time for rest and days off.
Though carrying a 7-9 overall record through the middle of June, Holly Springs has been improving in all areas as its entire roster has finally come together as a number of players’ NCAA postseason runs have ended.
The Salamanders have excelled when playing in front of their fans, winning six of eight games at the NMAC heading into a June 15th match-up with the Wilmington Sharks.
The crowds have been more than plentiful, surpassing 2000-plus on four occasions, placing Holly Springs in fifth place in average attendance amongst all 15 teams in the CPL.
If there’s anything that fans should know about this team’s play is that it ranks at the top of the league in fielding percentage while sitting third in runs batted in and second in stolen bases.
It’s an aggressive offensive style of play that Ciencin emphasizes to his batters and runners while tasking his pitchers to set the tone from the mound.
Coming off a recent 13-8 win over the Fayetteville SwampDogs, the Salamanders showcased their highest offensive production of the season, much to the delight of another standing-room only crowd.
Those in attendance saw both teams combine for 29 hits and three home runs – more than enough to watch and made it well worth the price of admission.
“I think offensively we’re comin’ together,”Ciencin said afterwards.
“We’re tryin’ to figure it out. Our approach is gettin’ guys in.”
As the season continues, there will no doubt be many more exciting wins and some disappointing losses – all part of the ‘the grind’ as Ciencin puts it when describing play in the CPL.
However, make no mistake about it – this group of college baseball players has been fully embraced by its supporters.
Many more around town have heard how entertaining and fun a game is to attend, and as a result are coming out to watch them.
The players too have appreciated all of the support they’ve received so far – an important factor in helping them to win games at home – on their ‘field of dreams’.
“The atmosphere is great, the fans were loud and into it, and it was definitely a fun experience,” catcher Zach Cerbo said after playing in his first game in the NMAC against Fayetteville.
“It was a good day and nice to come out and play here.”
Peter Koutroumpis is Owner and Managing Editor of the Triangle Sports Network (trianglesportsnet.com), a digital sports reporting site based out of Holly Springs that is a full-time and functioning media property that features originally reported college and pro sports news stories throughout the Triangle.
