GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The State Liners jumped out to an early lead but couldn’t hold off the Flyboys, who rode a pair of two-run home runs and a four-run third inning to defeat Bristol, 7–3, Thursday night.
The State Liners wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. After a walk and stolen base by Prince DeBoskie, Bristol cashed in with a sharp RBI single from Patrick Gillen. A wild pitch added another run, and Hayden Blair capped the three-run inning with a base hit to right field.
However, Bristol’s lead was short-lived. Greeneville responded in the bottom of the third with a run scored on a balk, and a throwing error allowed the Flyboys to steal third and come home. Moments later, a two-run homer gave Greeneville a 4-3 lead.
The fifth inning added pressure to the State Liners. A leadoff single sparked a three-run Flyboy surge that included another two-run home run — the second of the night — and a double. Greeneville stretched the lead to 7-3 before Bristol could get out of the inning.
Despite a few opportunities in the late innings — thanks to walks from Joe DuSell and Gillen — Bristol couldn’t capitalize. The bats went cold, failing to record a hit after the fourth inning.
The State Liners struck out 13 times in the loss, with no runs scored after the first inning. Gillen and Cole Young provided some offensive spark early, but the Flyboys' bullpen shut the door with efficient late-inning work.
The State Liners' record fell to 6-7, and Bristol will look to bounce back against the Flyboys at 7 p.m. Friday at Pioneer Park.
