ApL Kingsport Axmen

Kingsport Defeats Appalachian League Leader Princeton

Published on June 24, 2021 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Kingsport Axmen News Release


PRINCETON, WV - Facing the best team in the Appalachian League, the Kingsport Axmen delivered a historic performance.

The Axmen tallied a franchise-record 12 hits, cruising to a 4-1 win over Princeton Wednesday evening at H.P. Hunnicutt Field.

Kingsport (7-10) pieced together timely hits and the pitching staff contained one of the top offenses in the league.

After Dante Leach and Jordan Varela-Payne began the third with back-to-back singles, Nick Barnes joined the hit parade. Barnes ripped a base knock into left, scoring Leach and putting the Axmen up, 1-0.

Varela-Payne doubled Kingsport's advantage two innings later.

The Axmen designated hitter blasted his first home run of the summer, crushing an 0-2 breaking ball 411 feet over the leftfield wall. Varela-Payne recorded his 10th RBI, which matches Leach for the team lead.

Kingsport bolstered its cushion in the sixth.

Connor Milton and Ben Rozenblum strung together consecutive hits to open the frame. With the first two Axmen reaching, Princeton pitcher Jack Lynch sailed a pickoff throw into center, allowing both runners to move up.

Shortstop Orlando Salinas, Jr., who registered his first extra-base hit of the season earlier in the game, drove home Milton from third.

Will Spears followed with a hit into right, advancing Rozenblum 90 feet closer.

With the Axmen applying pressure, Lynch balked. Rozenblum scored on Lynch's mistake, increasing Kingsport's lead to 4-0.

Princeton (13-3) broke up the shutout with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh, but the Axmen bullpen limited the damage.

Right-hander Adam Parra (2-0) was credited with the win, pitching three innings in relief. Parra retired seven of the first eight WhistlePigs he saw and surrendered just two hits.

Alex Henderson needed just 12 pitches to strike out the side in the ninth, locking down his first save of the summer.

Southpaw Cole Kirschsieper dazzled across the first four innings, tossing 40 of his 59 pitches for strikes.

After forcing a series split against Princeton, Kingsport has won three of its last four games.

The Axmen continue their road trip, traveling to Pulaski to take on the River Turtles Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Calfee Park.

All Kingsport Axmen games are broadcast here with a video stream available online for home games.

Check out the Kingsport Axmen Statistics

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Appalachian League Stories from June 24, 2021


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