ApL Elizabethton River Riders

River Riders Come Back in Game Two to Earn Split with Otterbots

Published on July 21, 2023 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Elizabethton River Riders News Release


ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Elizabethton River Riders saw their hopes of an Appalachian League West title come to an end on Friday night after a game one loss to the Danville Otterbots in a doubleheader, but they did salvage a split.

In game one, the River Riders got out to an early lead, after they got three in the first, thanks to a Brendan Jones double, a Danville error, and a fielder's choice. However, that lead would not last long, as the Otterbots put up five runs in the second. All of the damage came with the bases loaded, as Danville drew three walks, had a batter hit by a pitch, and was the beneficiary of a wild pitch.

E-Town got one back in the second on an RBI double from DJ Dillehay. However, that is as close as the River Riders would get in game one, as the Otterbots would put up another five-run frame in the fourth. They got a two-run homer by Luke Lambert, one run on an RBI single from Michael Callan Moss, one on a wild pitch, and one on a bases-loaded walk. The River Riders got two in the seventh, but that was not enough to keep their division hopes alive in a 10-6 loss.

In game two, things looked bleak for Elizabethton, as it surrendered seven runs in the first two innings to Danville, including a five-run second. However, that is where the comeback effort would begin. In the bottom of the second, Kade Huff hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Hunter Porter, cutting the deficit to 7-1.

The next inning saw the River Riders put up nine runs in the third, with one run scoring on a wild pitch, two runs coming home on a Skylar King double, two runs scoring on a Porter single, two runs being plated on a Hayden Moore double, and two final runs making their way around on a Dylan Knowles double. When the dust finally settled, it was 10-7, River Riders.

The game would stay that way for the rest of the way, in large part to reliever Marcello Mastroianni, who tossed 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, only scattering three hits across his outing and earning the victory.

Elizabethton will be back in action on Saturday night, as it plays host to the newly crowned West Champion Johnson City Doughboys, with first pitch from Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark set for 7 p.m.

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Appalachian League Stories from July 21, 2023


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