[AZTarHeel]

Red Springs Survives, Advances to Semis on Abell’s Sac Fly

By Chase Murphy | Summer Intern | The Robesonian | Aug. 6, 2025

RED SPRINGS — It took 3 hours and 42 minutes, 13 stranded runners, seven stolen bases, five relievers and one sac fly, but the Red Springs Red Robins are heading to the Tobacco State League semifinals.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, third baseman Danny Abell — already 0-for-1 in bases-loaded situations that night — delivered the most anticlimactic, most glorious swing of the season. On an 0-2 pitch, he lifted a line drive deep enough to center to score Steve Bowser from third and send Red Springs to a 3-2 walk-off win over Smithfield-Selma in Game 5 of the quarterfinals.

“It doesn’t show up as a hit,” Abell said afterward, still catching his breath, “but I don’t care. I’ll take it every time.”

The Red Robins trailed 2-0 early and spent the night chasing down Ricky Diego, who had three doubles and an RBI for the Leafs, setting a new league playoff record. But the Red Springs bullpen — stretched beyond its comfort zone — held the line.

George Youngblood gave Red Springs a gutsy start, and manager Elijah Crabtree played the matchup game to perfection, rolling out Shane D’Ovidio, Bob Hoyle, Bill Lane and finally Dane O’Farrell, who threw a perfect top of the ninth to keep the game tied.

At the plate, Justin Stubbs continued his MVP-caliber run with two hits, two walks and three more stolen bases, giving him five in the series. Bowser doubled with one out in the ninth, Stubbs was intentionally walked, and Browning legged out an infield single to set up Abell’s redemption.

“We probably didn’t deserve to win with all the runners we left on base,” Crabtree admitted, “but we found a way. That’s what matters in the playoffs.”

Red Springs will now face the Sanford Spinners, who swept the Clinton Blues in their quarterfinal matchup. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 8, and the Robins will need rest — and maybe a little more magic.

Stat Pack: Quirky Numbers & Key Notes
Final Score:
Red Springs 3, Smithfield-Selma 2
Red Springs wins series 3–2

KEY STATS
13 LOB (Red Springs) – somehow still won!
7 stolen bases – Rogers (3), Stubbs (3), Wilkinson (1)
Smithfield Errors – 3 (E1, E5, E8) — all led to momentum shifts
Ricky Diego’s 3 doubles – playoff record
Bowser’s 9th-inning double – set up the winning run
Stubbs' Series Totals: .450 AVG, 6 RBI, 5 SB, 4 R — Series MVP
Total Time: 3:42
Attendance: 5,407

Weird + Wild:
Smithfield caught stealing twice, both in scoring position
Red Springs had runners on in 8 of 9 innings
2 ABs for Abell with the bases loaded: 5th inning: GIDP ... 9th inning: Walk-off sac fly
Browning: 2-for-4 with 2 hard-hit balls, 1 BB — quietly huge