Colonial Heights, VA – The Tri-City Chili Peppers dropped their second straight home game on Saturday in a 5-2 loss to the Holly Springs Salamanders.

Zach Potts (University of Lynchburg) started on the mound for the Chili Peppers. The Salamanders started Saturday night’s game off with two consecutive singles, but Tri City’s defense got out of the half inning quickly with a double play followed by an out at first.

Virginia Tech’s Cade Swisher got the Chili Peppers offense moving with a single and Avery Neaves (University of Lynchburg) kept the bats going with a single of his own. A reach on fielder’s choice by Swisher’s college teammate Lucas Donlon brought Swisher around to put Tri City on the scoreboard.

The Chili Peppers pulled off another double play in the top of the second and prevented the Salamanders from putting up any runs. Derek Bender (Coastal Carolina) hit a double in the bottom of the inning, but Tri City was unable to advance their lead.

Holly Springs hit a ground rule double for a strong offensive start to the third and were able to bring in the run to tie things up at one. The Chili Peppers didn’t have the same fate, batting three up, three down in the bottom of the inning.

Despite not having any hits in the top of the fourth, the Salamanders added a run to their score to take the lead. Mars Hill’s Kyle Jenkins hit a double to center field in the fourth inning, but Tri City failed to score.

With two walked batters and a hit in the fifth inning, Holly Springs was able to advance their lead to two. A bunt landed David Jeffers (Northwood University) on first base, and he used the first pitch of the next at bat to steal second. However, he never made it back to home plate, keeping the score 3-1.

Jackson Walker (Franklin Pierce University) took over pitching in the sixth, during which the Salamanders put up two hits and two runs. Longwood University’s Michael Dolberry hit a single in the bottom of the inning but once again, the Chili Peppers didn’t score.

Tri City had another pitching change in the seventh to Gordon State College’s Thomas Greeson, who held Holly Springs to no hits or runs. Greg Ryan (Longwood University) hit a single to start the bottom of the seventh and was followed by a double by Jeffers. A sacrifice fly by Kasten Furr (University of New Orleans) scored Ryan for a 5-2 score.

University of New Mexico’s Terrell Hudson prevented the Salamanders from advancing their lead in the eighth, while Tri City batted three up, three down in the inning. Holly Springs also batted three up, three down in their last plate appearance in the ninth. The Chili Peppers suffered the same fate, batting three up, three down again to lose 5-2.

The Chili Peppers will have a three day break before returning to Shepherd Stadium for Wednesday’s matchup against the High Point-Thomasville HiToms.