The Fayetteville SwampDogs won their first playoff game of the season on Saturday night when they defeated the Peninsula Pilots 4-3 in Hampton, VA. The second-seeded Dogs need to win one more game in the best-of-three series to advance to the second round.

The Dogs struck early, as they took a 2-0 lead in the third inning of play. Jacob Golliday (Francis Marion) walked, John Howell (Binghamton) singled, and Joe Ciamacco (Ohio State) walked to load the bases for Tyler Ding (Tampa), who walked to drive in a run. Mike Tauchman (Bradely) followed Ding as he reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Howell from third.

Two more Dogs came across in the fifth to make it 4-0 Fayetteville. After Howell reached on an error, Ciamacco singled to put runners on first and second. A balk allowed the runners to move up to second and third, before Ding plated Howell with a sacrifice fly. Tauchman then ripped a single to score Ciamacco, as the Dogs took a four-run advantage into the bottom of the inning.

Peninsula answered with a run in their half of the frame, and added two more in the seventh to make it 4-3 SwampDogs.

All-Star Dan Smith (Monmouth) started the game and worked 5.2 innings, at one point retiring nine straight Pilots. James Simmons (Hardin-Simmons) worked 2.1 innings of perfect relief. All-Star closer Tyler Brunnemann (Hardin-Simmons) picked up the save as he struck out the side in the 9th to seal the one-run victory, and Howell finished the night 2-3 with a double and two runs scored.

The SwampDogs will host the Pilots for game two of the best-of-three series on Sunday night at "The Swamp." The first 500 fans will receive the latest edition of the Fun-Go Bobblehead, and the game will be followed by the final Fireworks Extravaganza of the season. Gates will open at 6:00pm, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm. For tickets, visit or call the business office at (910)-426-5900.