Johnson City, Tenn. - As Year 2 of the new Appalachian League kicked off, the Elizabethton River Rider bats made a big impression in a dramatic 11-9 season-opening win over the Johnson City Doughboys at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
The River Riders got behind the eight-ball in the first inning as they surrendered three runs despite no hits for Johnson City leaving the infield, and 3-0 was how it stood until Alex McCoy (Maryland-Eastern Shore) hit a long double off the right-center field wall to plate a pair of runs, bringing the score to 3-2.
Johnson City managed another run in the third inning as the Doughboys got into the River Rider bullpen early, but Baker Cox (Spartanburg Methodist) struck out back-to-back batters with runners on second and third to get out of the jam. That 4-2 score stuck until the fifth inning, when Owen Carapellotti (Georgetown) hit a moonshot to right field for a two-run home run to tie the game. Later in the inning, Zach Freeman (San Francisco) hit a sharp groundball through the right side to plate a run, and the River Riders had their first lead of the night.
Cox continued to provide stability as he pitched the fourth and fifth innings without allowing any runs, and picked up five strikeouts along the way. Carter Lovasz (William and Mary) came on to pitch in the sixth inning, and despite giving up a run in the sixth, he pitched a clean seventh inning and ultimately earned the win.
In the top of the seventh, Elizabethton added a couple of runs on a hit by pitch and then a sacrifice fly, giving the River Riders the final lead of the game. Hit-by-pitches and walks proved to be the downfall of the Doughboys on this night, as they hit four batters and walked 14 batters as well. Both teams traded two runs apiece in the eighth and ninth innings, and the Elizabethton nine managed to hold on to secure the victory by a score of 11-9.
Outstanding performances for the River Riders included Carapellotti (1-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 3R), McCoy (1-3, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Avery Owusu Asiedu (SIUE, 2-6, 2 2B, RBI) as well as Ty Peters (Liberty) who managed to draw an astounding five walks on the night.
The River Riders head back on the road today to finish up the series with the Doughboys at TVA Credit Union Ballpark as Trevor Callahan (Morehead State) will make his first River Rider start with first pitch slated for 7 p.m. If you would like to listen to the game, go to www.appyleague.com/elizabethton/audio with Reese Lannon on the call for pregame starting at 6:40 p.m.
