KINGSPORT, Tenn. — After winning their first series against the Doughboys last week, 2-1, the State Liners secured an 8-4 win over the Kingsport Axmen on Monday night.
The fireworks started early for Bristol, as the first five batters of the game reached base. After back-to-back singles by Prince DeBoskie and Collin Dobson, and a walk for Olin Ward, it was Jaxon Walker’s RBI that gave the State Liners a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Brooks Wright swung a double down the left-field line to bring home two more, giving Bristol a 3-0 advantage before Kingsport could record the final out.
The Axmen responded in the bottom half, capitalizing to tie the game at 3-3. But the State Liners quickly reclaimed control in the second, loading the bases and plating another run on a bases-loaded walk from Chris Patterson to make it 4-3.
Bristol broke it open in the third. DeBoskie smashed a triple to right, scoring two more and extending the lead to 6-3. A laid-back approach at the plate kept pressure on the Kingsport pitchers all night, with Bristol drawing multiple walks and stealing bases at will.
On defense, standout plays in the field kept Kingsport from finding a rhythm. Center fielder Jaxon Walker made a highlight-reel diving grab in the second, while Dobson helped turn a double play that ended the frame. Reliever Ty Barnett was dominant in the third, recording back-to-back strikeouts to slam the door on a potential rally.
The State Liners tacked on a run in the fifth with an RBI from Jean Carlos Garcia-Chicano, and another in the seventh when Cole Young brought home Wright after a leadoff double, pushing the score to 8-3.
Pitchers Charlie Atkinson and Matthew Bienvenu closed the game in lockdown fashion, combining for multiple strikeouts and quick outs to deny the Axmen a comeback. Despite a late run from Kingsport in the ninth, the State Liners shut the door with a strikeout to secure the win.
The State Liners continue their season with a 3-1 record, and finish the series against the Axmen tomorrow at the Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport at 7 p.m.
