DANVILLE, Va. — The second game of the Otterbots' series against the Axmen was closer, but the result was the same, with Kingsport riding a six-run fourth inning to topple the Bots, 7-4.
The first two innings were quiet at American Legion Field at Dan Daniel Memorial Park, with Danville sending up three batters and Kingsport sending up four in each.
In the third inning, Axmen center fielder Derrick Pitts worked a walk off Otterbots starter Cale Sudderth. After a stolen base, he scored on a single by shortstop Kam Durnin.
The Otterbots caught fire in the third, scoring four runs. Micah Dean brought home Mason Pangborn with a single, Alex Conover and Seth Smith worked five-pitch walks, and Dean scored on a wild pitch by the eventual winning pitcher for the Axmen, Andrew Kribbs. Danville sent ten men to the plate in the inning.
But that was all the offense the home team could muster. Kingsport responded in the fourth with another six-run inning, their second in two games, and the score remained the same until the end.
Despite the disappointing outcome, the game featured some defensive gems, including an unassisted double play by Smith, who moved from third base to shortstop for Game 2.
“Oh, unbelievable,” Danville manager Mickey Tettleton said. “Not only is he a very good player now, but he is going to be a great player down the road. He’s a kid that definitely has the chance to play at the next level. He’s been fabulous.”
The Otterbots left eleven men on base and were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They left Dean on third to end the seventh and the bases loaded to end the eighth.
“There’s times where we need to take them, and some times where we need to cut it loose,” Tettleton said. “That’s the kind of stuff when you’re playing the game that we need to get better at.”
Danville dropped their twelfth game of the season, six times their win total. They'll welcome the Tri-State Coal Cats to American Legion Field for their next two home games.
“It’s just us making sure our guys are doing the right thing,” Tettleton said. “They’re an unbelievable group of kids to be around, because they work extremely hard.
“We’d just like to see things start paying off for them.”
For more information on 2025 single-game tickets, season tickets, corporate partnerships and group outings, email matt@danvilleotterbots.com or call the Otterbots front office at 434-554-4487. The Danville Otterbots will play their home games at American Legion Field at Dan Daniel Memorial Park.
