News Summary
In a dramatic 11-inning opener, the Wilmington Blue Rocks secured a tight 2-1 victory against the Hub City Spartanburgers. Jackson Kent and Erik Tolman delivered stellar pitching performances, while key hits from Sam Petersen and Caleb Lomavita defined the late-game surge for Wilmington. Despite a fierce comeback attempt from the Spartanburgers, Wilmington’s defense held strong to clinch the win and set the stage for an exciting continuation of the series.
Wilmington, DE – In a thrilling opener to the series, the Wilmington Blue Rocks edged the Hub City Spartanburgers with a score of 2-1 after 11 innings on June 10, 2025. Both teams maintained a tense scoreless tie until the final frame of play, showcasing strong pitching performances and clutch hitting in a fierce battle.
Starting the game on a high note, Wilmington’s Jackson Kent delivered a standout performance on the mound, pitching six scoreless innings while needing only 71 pitches to navigate through Hub City’s lineup. In contrast, the Spartanburgers’ starter, Leandro Lopez, managed 5 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, allowing three hits and four walks. Lopez had a notable streak, successfully retiring seven consecutive batters during the third to fifth innings, demonstrating commendable control.
The Spartanburgers’ bullpen featured sharp relief work from Seth Clark and Mailon Felix. Clark struck out three batters out of the four he faced, and Felix showed resilience by preventing any runs despite surrendering two hits in the final two innings of regular play. Wilmington’s relief pitcher, Erik Tolman, added to the Blue Rocks’ momentum by retiring all nine batters he faced throughout the contest.
The game was tightly contested through ten innings, with the only hit for Hub City during this timeframe coming from Keith Jones II. As the game stretched into the 11th inning, Wilmington’s offense sprang to life. With automatic runner Gavin Dugas on second base, Sam Petersen hit a double to drive Dugas home. Following this, Caleb Lomavita contributed his own hit, allowing Petersen to cross the plate, bringing the score to 2-0 in favor of Wilmington.
Despite trailing, the Spartanburgers fought back in the bottom of the 11th. They initiated a rally with hits from Gleider Figuereo and Quincy Scott. Figuereo successfully drove in automatic runner Anthony Gutierrez, cutting the deficit to 2-1. With two outs, Wady Mendez, running for Figuereo, reached third base from Scott’s hit, putting pressure on Wilmington’s defense. However, Blue Rocks pitcher Miguel Gomez secured the victory by striking out Luis Marquez and stranding the tying run on third base.
This nail-biting game marks a dramatic start to their series, and fans can expect another exciting match as the teams prepare to meet again. The second game of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025. On the mound for the Spartanburgers will be right-handed pitcher Aidan Curry, who holds a record of 2-1 with an ERA of 5.28. Meanwhile, Wilmington will counter with left-handed pitcher Travis Sthele, showcasing a record of 3-2 and an ERA of 4.37.
The stage is set for what promises to be an equally intense matchup as both teams seek to gain an advantage in the series.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Hub City Spartanburgers Announce Inaugural Roster for 2025
Additional Resources
- Go Upstate: Cole Swindell Concert Preparation
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- MLB: Visit Fifth Third Park
- Google Search: Hub City Spartanburgers
- WSPA: Return of Minor League Baseball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Minor League Baseball
- Greenville Journal: Fifth Third Park Opening Day
- Google News: Fifth Third Park Spartanburg
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
