COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA. – A tough stretch continues for the Tri-City Chili Peppers (6-23) as they have dropped their fifth consecutive game, this time at the hands of the Holly Springs Salamanders (17-13). 

The Salamanders come away with the season sweep versus the Chili Peppers to move them 2.5 games back of the first place Morehead City Marlins in the East division second half standings. 

It was Tri-City striking first in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a wild pitch bringing Logan Jarvis (Belmont) home from third. 

After scoring the run, Tri-City swapped arms which ended a strong start from Nick Zegna (George Mason) who traversed through four innings, allowing just three hits, no runs with seven strikeouts. 

However after the change, Holly Springs stormed in front with three runs of their own in the top of the fourth to make it a 3-1 Salamanders lead. 

Tri-City got one of the runs back in the form of a two out RBI single to right field from Ben Williamson (William and Mary) who returned to the lineup after not playing since July 3. 

At a 3-2 score, the Salamanders drove in two more to stretch their lead up to three runs. But once again, Tri-City had an answer. This time coming off the bat of Ben McClain (Texas State) with his first home run of the season. The solo shot made it 5-3. 

Following a scoreless 7th inning, the top of the eighth saw Jaden Griffin (VCU) work a scoreless frame and the momentum lead to Elliot Dix (Longwood) coming around to score on another wild pitch, bringing the deficit down to just a run. 

Transitioning to the top of the ninth, Holly Springs garnered two runs of insurance off of two solo home runs hit in the half inning to bring the game to its 7-4 final score. 

The Chili Peppers will have Tuesday, July 13,  off before getting back on the diamond to play host to the Wilson Tobs on Wednesday, July 14. First pitch set for 7 p.m. For more information, check out chilipeppersbaseball.com, and follow the team on social media for all the latest news and updates.