JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - All good things have to come to an end, and that was the case for the Doughboys' home winning streak, falling to Elizabethton, 4-2
The Doughboys threatened in the first inning, with Caleb Berry doubling into right, then advancing to third on a wild pitch with only one out. Elizabethton’s starter Sean Hollister shut the door, stranding Berry on third.
Aydan Decker-Petty made his first start of the summer for the Doughboys after multiple relief appearances and dazzled. He worked through some trouble in the second inning but wouldn’t give up his first hit until the fifth inning.
Following the first-inning double, the Doughboys offense went mostly dormant, as the next 10 hitters to come to the plate were retired.
The fifth inning brought a change of pace for the Doughboys but not immediately. The first two hitters were retired before Andrew Neil and Cam King each had nine-pitch at bats end with them reaching base.
Berry came up to the plate and made the River Riders pay, sending a single into left to bring across the first run of the day.
The Doughboys didn't stop there, with Logan Sutter working a walk, driving in his 22nd run of the season, making it 2-0 in favor of Johnson City.
The River Riders didn't let the two-run lead sit for long, leading off the sixth inning with a double and ultimately bringing the runner in, shortening the Doughboys lead.
The seventh inning brought more runs for Elizabethton, using a groundout and a pair of wild pitches to take the lead at 4-2.
The deficit failed to light up the Doughboys' bats, as Johnson City went down in order in the seventh and eighth innings.
The ninth brought a chance for the Doughboys with an error starting the inning. Cam King would single with two outs, putting the winning run at the plate.
Berry flew out to the game and the Doughboys' home streak.
The defeat was the first to Elizabethton this season as well as the first loss after leading at the midway point in any game this season.
Johnson City will look to secure a series split tomorrow against the River Riders, with first pitch at 7 p.m.
