JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The Bristol State Liners couldn’t keep pace with the Bluefield Ridge Runners on Wednesday night, falling, 8-1, in the first game of the series at the TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
Both teams started quietly through the first two innings, with Bristol’s defense holding strong thanks to sharp plays from Chris Patterson and Prince DeBoskie, along with two early strikeouts by Brayden Gilley.
Bluefield broke the scoreless tie in the third inning, capitalizing on a defensive miscue before grabbing the game’s first RBI to take a 1-0 lead.
The Ridge Runners extended that lead in the top of the fifth with a three-run homer, making it 4-0. Despite a single from Elijah Alexander and a catcher’s interference that placed Brady Gray on base, Bristol couldn’t cash in during its half of the inning.
Bluefield stayed hot in the sixth, tacking on three more runs to take a commanding 7–0 lead. Collin Dobson finally got the State Liners on the board in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run deep to right field.
Hunter Barber and Alex Sotiropoulos came in for relief and managed to quiet the Ridge Runners’ offense late, including a double play turned by Alexander, Dobson and Hayden Blair in the seventh.
Bristol had chances with runners aboard in both the eighth and ninth innings, but Bluefield’s bullpen closed it down with well-timed strikeouts and solid fielding.
Bristol looks to bounce back at 7 p.m. Thursday in Game 2 of the series.
