Colonial Heights, VA - After three days off, the Tri-City Chili Peppers returned to Shepherd Stadium to face off against the High Point-Thomasville HiToms. The Chili Peppers dropped their third consecutive home game 8-6.

The HiToms were off to a hot start with Rojo Prarie (William & Mary) on the mound for the Chili Peppers. Two two-run home runs allowed them to put up four runs in the first.  Tri City's Brandon Eike (UNC) had a home run of his own in the bottom of the inning to make the score 4-1 after the first.

Prarie held High Point to no hits or runs in the second, but Tri City also failed to put up any hits or runs. Franklin Pierce University's James Draughn took over pitching in the top of the third, during which the HiToms hit another home run. Cade Swisher (Virginia Tech) hit a single for the Chili Peppers in the bottom of the inning for their only hit of the third.

Randolph Macon University's Hayden Snelsire replaced Draughn on the hill in the fourth inning and pitched three up, three down. A double by Hunter Gilliam (University of Kentucky) brought Avery Neaves (University of Lynchburg) around the bases after Neaves walked to start the half inning.

The Chili Peppers had another pitching change in the fifth to Connor Handy (University of New Orleans), who didn't allow any hits or runs. Two walks and an error loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, and a sacrifice fly by Neaves brought in a run. An error brought in another run to lessen the Tri City deficit to 5-4.

Jack Goleski (Pitt Community College) took the mound in the top of the sixth and loaded the bases with three consecutive walks. A balk scored a run and a putout scored another. After these two runs, Goleski was replaced by Marcus Van Alstine (VMI Commit), who got the final out. The Chili Peppers put up one run in the bottom of the inning by Derek Bender (Coastal Carolina) after he hit a triple in his at bat.

Catawba Valley Community College pitcher Troy Shepherd came in in the seventh, not allowing any hits or runs. However, Tri City also put up no hits or runs in the seventh inning.

The eighth Chili Peppers pitcher of the game, Terrell Hudson (University of New Mexico), took the hill in the top of the eighth and held the score at 7-5. Elon's Willie Havens hit a single to kick off the bottom of the inning, followed by two walks to load the bases. Despite this, Tri City was unable to score.

A double followed by an error and a fielder's choice brought in a High Point run in the top of the ninth for an 8-6 lead for the HiToms. Hunter Gilliam (Longwood University) hit a single in the top of the ninth, but failed to score. The game ended in an 8-6 Chili Peppers loss.

The Chili Peppers will hit the road tomorrow to face off against the HiToms in High Point.