JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — A back-and-forth slugfest saw Bristol hang on to overcome Johnson City, 11-9, on Saturday night despite a late rally from the Doughboys.
Bristol jumped out quickly in the top of the first thanks to Brooks Wright’s three-run homer to left after an error kept the inning alive. Johnson City answered right back in the bottom half with a three-run shot, pulling ahead 4-3.
The State Liners retook the lead in the second with a two-run double by Wright and a two-run single from Jaxon Walker, making it 7-4. In the third, Collin Dobson added a two-run homer, pushing the score to 10-4. Johnson City chipped away with a solo homer in the bottom half.
Patrick Gillen’s RBI double in the fifth extended Bristol’s lead to 11-5. But the Doughboys made it close late: An RBI double, a sacrifice fly and a two-run homer cut the deficit to 11-9.
State Liners closer Charlie Atkinson worked around a two-out single and a passed ball in the ninth, striking out the final batter to secure the win. Wright led the offense with five RBIs, including his second homer of the season, but unfortunately, he was injured making it back to first after leading off a bit too much when the Doughboys catcher sent it to their first baseman after a pitch.
Bristol improved to 10-10 on the season and will wrap up its series against the Doughboys at 5 p.m. Sunday at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
