JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The State Liners secured the win in their series' second and final game against the Ridge Runners Thursday night.
Pitcher Michael Fliss set the tone early, striking out the side in the top of the first. In the second inning, Bristol's offense was dominant. With the bases loaded, Prince DeBoskie's RBI single got the State Liners on the board. Moments later, Patrick Gillen delivered a three-run triple to deep right-center, giving Bristol a 4-0 lead. Chris Patterson added another RBI to cap off the five-run inning.
Bluefield tried to chip away, hitting three solo home runs throughout the night and adding a pair of runs in the seventh to pull within one at 7-6, but the State Liners remained at the top. Olin Ward's RBI double sparked a three-run rally in the bottom of the eighth. Cole Young and Hayden Blair each drove in insurance runs to stretch the lead to 10-6.
Charlie Atkinson closed the door with a strikeout-heavy ninth, securing the win and some much-needed momentum into the upcoming three-game series against Pulaski.
Bristol begins their series against the Pulaski River Turtles Friday night at the TVA Credit Union Ballpark, with the first pitch scheduled at 7 p.m.
