JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — A sweltering day at the ballpark was called short due to weather as the Doughboys defeated the State Liners, 9-0, in seven innings Tuesday.
Johnson City got a hot start at the plate in the first when Nate Connor blasted a double off the right-center-field wall. Trey Majette didn’t let him stay there long, as he roped a line drive into right, making Conner the first run of the ballgame.
Doughboys ace Bryson Thacker held down the early lead through his two innings pitched, facing eight batters and allowing only a single hit. Thacker held on to his 0.00 ERA as he made his exit after two.
After a slight lightning delay, the Doughboys picked up right where they left off in the third inning. Logan Fyffe and Dane Morrow got things started with back to back hits. Connor loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch before Paris Pridgen worked a full-count walk, scoring Fyffe.
Things got wild shortly after. Conner scored on a wild pitch by Brayden Gilley, afterward, catcher Brandon Chang started his way toward first after a dropped third strike before being hit by the throw from Bristol catcher Brooks Wright. This allowed Pridgen to score from third and made Chang safe at first.
Jackson Jones kept things going after reaching on an error by the State Liners' infield, scoring Majette in the process. Designated hitter Ryan Jones got involved with a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Chang across to make it a 6-0 ballgame after the third.
While the offense was rolling, pitcher Ryan Smith was putting in the work on defense. Taking over for Thacker, Smith came in after the weather delay and got to work quickly. Allowing no hits or runs in two innings pitched, Smith struck out the side in the bottom of the fourth to keep a strong lead for the Doughboys.
The offense exploded in the fifth inning for Johnson City with four straight hits from Majette, Chang and both Ryan Jones and Jackson Jones. Chang scored Majette, and Jackson Jones returned the favor, bringing in Chang right after with an RBI single.
Fyffe added on to the lead, squeezing a ground ball into left field and scoring Jackson Jones to give Johnson City a 9-0 advantage.
Weather continued to loom over TVA Credit Union Ballpark and eventually sent the game into another delay going into the bottom of the seventh. The delay turned into a final, as they waved the game due to lightning and Johnson City bounced back with a commanding win in six and a half innings.
The Doughboys continue their homestand Wednesday against the Bristol State Liners. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
