The Fayetteville SwampDogs saw their first half division title hopes fade as they lost to the Edenton Steamers 10-9 on Thursday night. The two teams combined for six home runs, the highest single-game total in the Coastal Plain League this season.

The Dogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st when both Sal Giardina (Lynn) and Reed Harper (Austin Peay) picked up RBI singles. 

Edenton hit two of their four home runs in the bottom half of the frame, knotting the game up at 2 runs apiece. They went on to tack on two runs in the second and one more in the third to gain a 5-2 advantage.

Fayetteville answered in the fourth, when Zach Gawrych (Tampa) double to score John Howell (Binghamton) after Howell had doubled to lead off the inning. After a Mike Tauchman (Bradley) walk, Giardina ripped a two-run single to tie the game at 5-5.

The Steamers scored two runs in the bottom of the frame to put themselves up by two, but the Dogs tied it yet again in the top of the fifth.

Andrew Parker (Towson) led off the inning with his second home run of the season, and Connor Obrochta (Tampa) drove in Howell to make it 7-7.

Tauchman ripped a solo home run to straight away center in the sixth, giving the Dogs a one-run cushion as the score moved to 8-7 in their favor.

Edenton scored three runs in the seventh, and Reed Harper's (Austin Peay) run-scoring groundout was the only run the Dogs would score the rest of the way.

The SwampDogs needed to win the remainder of their games in the first half to overtake the Steamers as the first half champions of the East Division. Edenton's victory secured their Petitt Cup Playoff berth.

The next SwampDogs home game is on Friday, June 29th, where it's Summertime St. Patty's Day at the ballpark. The first 500 fans, 21 and older, will receive a souvenir glass courtesy of Healy Wholesale and Heineken.

The SwampDogs urge fans to purchase their tickets for the July 3rd Fireworks Extravaganza as soon as possible, as only a limited number of seats remain for the game.

For tickets, visit or call the business office at (910)-426-5900, and for all things SwampDogs log on to www.goswampdogs.com.