
Doughboys fumble early lead in loss to Sock Puppets
July 5, 2025 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Johnson City Doughboys News Release
BURLINGTON, N.C.- The Johnson City Doughboys slipped another five-run lead away last in a 13-5 loss to the Burlington Sock Puppets on Saturday.
It was Johnson City's game early on, as Burlington's starting pitcher, Lance Hartley, struggled in the first. With the bases loaded, he walked Trey Majette, and Paris Pridgen scored the first run of the ballgame.
Burlington wouldn't let that stand for long, as they came back to take the lead in the bottom of the first, both runs scoring off bases-loaded walks, with Ariel Antigua and Orlando Fernandez making their way across home.
Brandon Chang brought the Doughboys back out in front in the third, as he roped a line drive into center, scoring both Nate Conner and Jose Ferenandez to regain the lead 3-2 for Johnson City.
The Sock Puppets kept pace as Dom Krupinski evened the game out with a ground ball that got through into left field, cashing a run from Avery Smith. Johnson City would snag the lead yet again in the fifth, as Chang got his third RBI on the night with a single into right, scoring Fernandez for a second time.
Burlington began forming their comeback in the sixth inning, Antigua got the first run across with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Chancellor Jennings in on the tag-up from third. Wade Shelley continued the process when he reached on an infield error, allowing Krupinski to find home plate again. Zach Jackson topped it off with an RBI single into right, bringing Shelley home after his hit.
Burlington continued to rake in the runs in the seventh as well. Krupinski walked with the bases loaded, but the fourth ball got past home plate into the backstop, scoring Smith and Antigua before Fernandez doubled on a deep fly ball to center, knocking in Krupinski.
Burlington wasn't finished there, Shelley reached on another infield error that saw Fernandez score another run, soon after a wild pitch into the back stop gave DJ Merriweather a free jog to home from third. Smith hit an RBI single shortly after into center, bringing Shelly home, by the time the Doughboys were able to get out of the seventh, it was a 12-5 ballgame.
The final run of the night came off of a Krupinski ground out to second baseman Logan Fyffe, scoring Antigua from third after his lead off triple. Johnson City couldn't come up with an answer in their final at bats and fell to Burlington with a final score of 13-5.
Johnson City will gear up on Sunday for the thrid game in the series between thee Burlington Sock Puppets. First pitch at 5:00 p.m. for the seven inning game.
Appalachian League Stories from July 5, 2025
- Doughboys Fumble Early Lead in Loss to Sock Puppets - Johnson City Doughboys
- Flyboys Fall to Bluefield on Saturday - Greeneville Flyboys
- Doughboys fumble early lead in loss to Sock Puppets - Johnson City Doughboys
- Axmen Fall to Coal Cats in Sudden Death - Kingsport Axmen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Johnson City Doughboys Stories
- Johnson City earns a walk-off win in sudden death over Danville
- Doughboys Come Back to Beat Otterbots on the Road
- Doughboys Win On The Road In Comeback Victory Over Otterbots
- Doughboys Fall to River Riders in Close Loss
- Johnson City prospers in comeback win over Kingsport

