(If you made it this far, you deserve an Orange Crush!)
Red Robins Finish the Job, Claim TSL Regular Season Title
By Chase Murphy | Summer Intern | The Robesonian | July 22
ANGIER — The script couldn’t have been tighter. With the pressure mounting, the out-of-town scoreboard buzzing, and the bullpen on edge, the Red Springs Red Robins delivered their final statement of the regular season — a 6-3 road victory over Angier-Fuquay Springs that clinched the outright 2025 Tobacco State League regular season championship.
And fittingly, it was Shane D’Ovidio — the unsung southpaw — who set the tone.
“I'm just happy to help the team win,” D’Ovidio said postgame, moments after being drenched with orange sports drink and praise. “Nobody believed in us back in May. We believed in us tonight.”
⚾ Game Highlights:
- Shane D’Ovidio: 6.0 IP, 5 K, 1 ER, 1-for-2 with a 2-out RBI single (yes, the pitcher hit)
- Bruce Browning: 2-run double to spark a 3-run third inning
- Mike Adams: 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI — continuing his white-hot streak
- Ken Rogers: 3-for-5, 2 doubles, a stolen base, 5 total bases
- Danny Abell: 3-for-5, clutch RBI in the 5th
- Juan Hartman (SV #13): Perfect 9th, 2 Ks, final out via swing-and-miss heat
Manager Elijah Crabtree:
“That’s what it looks like when a team fights for each other. Every guy — from D’Ovidio to the last man on the bench — showed up for Red Springs tonight.”
Team photo of the Red Springs Red Robins