ELIZABETHTON, TENN. - Issac Williams already had two hits on the day, and came up in a big spot with men on first and second with one out in the seventh. He delivered.
The New Orleans Privateer knocked an RBI single right back up the box to score pinch-runner Marcus Sanders (Phoenix College) to give the River Riders a 2-1 win. The game was a seven-inning affair, as part of the seven-inning Sunday games.
Jackson Holmes got the start for Elizabethton, and the right-hander from St. Louis University delivered in a big way, throwing five scoreless innings, surrendering just three hits and one walk while striking out four and throwing just 62 pitches. He was effective up and down the order and seemed to get better as the game went along, as he struck out three straight batters in the fourth and fifth innings.
The River Riders got on the board after a couple of scoreless innings, with Harrison Rodgers (Colorado Mesa) hitting an RBI single back up the middle to score Ty Peters (Liberty).
After a pitching change in the sixth, Grant Stephenson (Xavier) hit a solo home run to deep left field to tie the game at one.
Collin Rothermel (Kansas State) had a fantastic debut in the top of the seventh inning, striking out two batters before walking Owen Carapellotti (Georgetown). Sanders took over for Carapellotti as a pinch-runner and advanced to second on an error by the pitcher. Following an out, Rodgers walked to put runners on first and second before Williams finished the job with the RBI single and the River Riders improved to 3-1 with a 2-1 victory.
Up next for the River Riders is a two-game set as part of a six-game homestand against the Johnson City Doughboys on Monday at 7 p.m. Make sure to tune into the game live at appalachianleague.univtec.com/home.
