Doughboys Fall in Division Championship as Miraculous Season Ends Just Short of Title Game
Published on July 31, 2026 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Johnson City Doughboys News Release
KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Johnson City Doughboys dropped their postseason bout against the Kingsport Axmen, 5-2, falling just short of the Appalachian League Championship game.
The Axmen took an early lead in the first three innings, putting up a Garrett Luett sacrifice fly in the first and a Carter Geffre two-run homer in the third to make it 3-0 quickly.
The Doughboys offense struggled out of the gates, only putting up three hits with scoreless frames in those first three innings. Kingsport starter Dalyn Ellison dealt an incredible postseason performance, going 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and only one run allowed.
That one run came on a Jackson Geiger RBI single to jumpstart his multi-hit night after Nate Eisfelder drilled a double to make it 3-1. Daniel Quintero had two great first innings of his relief appearance, getting out of a bases-loaded jam and tallying five total strikeouts.
In the seventh, Johnson City had its best scoring opportunity of the night. Patrick Walsh was hit by a pitch, followed by an Anthony Temesvary double and a Gabe Tanous walk.
Kenyon Hughes Jr. brought one in on an RBI walk, but the Doughboys left them loaded. Kingsport reliever Brody Carr went 2 1/3 flawless innings with four strikeouts in clutch scenarios.
The Axmen also extended the lead on the offensive end after the stretch when Easton Beach electrified the crowd with an RBI double, with Seth Farni adding another run on an RBI single.
This made it 5-2 for the home side with Carr dealing a scoreless frame in the eighth. Johnson City reliever Garrett Macowiak delivered a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth with his scoreless 1 2/3 innings and a strikeout.
With the Doughboys down to their final three outs, the home side closer Jude Favela shut the door with two straight strikeouts and a pop out to end it 5-2. Kingsport notched its second championship bid in two straight seasons while the Johnson City season ended.
We thank you so much for keeping up with the team all season and cheering on the Doughboys at every given moment. The fan support and atmosphere that was created at TVA Credit Union Ballpark was something special.
We hope to see you next season in the summer of 2027 to create more memories!
By: Taylor Gautney
Appalachian League Stories from July 31, 2026
- Kingsport Heads to the Championship Game for the Second Year in a Row Behind Ellison Gem - Kingsport Axmen
- Doughboys Fall in Division Championship as Miraculous Season Ends Just Short of Title Game - Johnson City Doughboys
- Johnson City's Eisfelder, Rollins Named Players of the Week for Second Time - Johnson City Doughboys
- Johnson City's Eisfelder, Rollins Named Appalachian League Players of the Week for Second Time - ApL
- Season Finale Belongs to Kingsport, Focus Shifts to Playoff Matchup - Kingsport Axmen
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Other Recent Johnson City Doughboys Stories
- Johnson City's Julien Hachem Named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year
- Doughboys Fall in Division Championship as Miraculous Season Ends Just Short of Title Game
- Johnson City's Eisfelder, Rollins Named Players of the Week for Second Time
- Doughboys punch ticket to the playoffs in walk-off mercy-rule fashion, electrify packed crowd
- Doughboys Fall to Greeneville in Playoff-Clinching Scenario, Get Mercy-Ruled in Game 2 of Series
