River Riders Power Past Coal Cats, 9-3, in Series Opener
June 25, 2025 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Elizabethton River Riders News Release
Huntington, W.Va. - The Elizabethton River Riders jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, defeating the Tri-State Coal Cats, 9-3, on Tuesday night. The River Riders' offense exploded late, while the pitching staff controlled the game to earn a sixth consecutive win.
The Rundown:
Elizabethton took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third. Jack Ratcliffe doubled to right field, scoring Josh Owens. Donte Lewis followed with a single to bring in Ratcliffe, extending the River Riders' lead to 2-0.
Tri-State answered in the fourth. Sam Winsett doubled to left, scoring Chandler Murray and advancing Tyler Smolinski to third. A groundout by Luke Kosko allowed Smolinski to score, tying the game at 2-2.
The River Riders regained the lead in the fifth. Luke Donaghey singled to right field, bringing in Josh Evans for a 3-2 lead, and Hudson Brown followed with a double to right, driving in Lewis to make it 4-2.
In the sixth, Evans picked up an RBI on a ground out, bringing in Owens to extend the lead to 5-2.
The River Riders added insurance in the seventh. Owens doubled, scoring Jackson Berry, and a wild pitch by Mason Sylvest allowed Owens to score, giving Elizabethton a commanding 7-2 lead.
Elizabethton sealed the win in the eighth with a two-run blast from Lewis, his first home run of the season, making it 9-2. Tri-State added a run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly, but the River Riders held on for the victory.
The Pitching:
Matthew Porchas made the start for the River Riders, going four innings and surrendering just two runs. Ray Thompson (1-0) earned the win with three innings of scoreless relief, striking out four without allowing a hit.
Notes:
Lewis continued his hot streak, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
Owens contributed with a 2-for-4 performance, adding three runs scored and a double.
Ratcliffe went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Evans had a solid game, scoring twice and adding an RBI and two hits.
Stat of the Game:
6 - With the win, Elizabethton picked up their sixth straight victory, the longest winning streak by any Appy League team so far this season.
Next Up:
The River Riders (8-9) will look to extend their winning streak as they face the Coal Cats (6-10) again Wednesday, June 25. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST, the game will be streamed live on AppyLeague.com.
Appalachian League Stories from June 25, 2025
- River Riders Fall to Coal Cats in Low-Scoring Affair After Lightning Delay - Elizabethton River Riders
- Doughboys fall in comeback loss to State Liners - Johnson City Doughboys
- River Riders Power Past Coal Cats, 9-3, in Series Opener - Elizabethton River Riders
- Axmen Fumble Lead, Fall to Flyboys in Sudden Death - Kingsport Axmen
- Doughboys get back in the win column with a shortened victory over State Liners, 9-0 - Johnson City Doughboys
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Other Recent Elizabethton River Riders Stories
- River Riders Fall to Coal Cats in Low-Scoring Affair After Lightning Delay
- River Riders Power Past Coal Cats, 9-3, in Series Opener
- River Riders Hold off Johnson City to Secure 5-3 Win
- River Riders Hold off Doughboys, 11-8, in Thriller, Extend Win Streak to Four Games
- Elizabethton Holds off Bluefield, Extends Win Streak to Three Games
