ELIZABETHTON, TENN. - Same story, different day for the Doughboys as they led for the majority of the ballgame before falling, 8-6, to Elizabethton on a walk-off home run.
Johnson City would go scoreless in the first inning for just the second time in six games, going down in order to open the game.
Tony Neubeck toed the slab for the Doughboys, as he would be a huge bright spot for the Doughboys.
The first inning would bring in an unearned run for Elizabethton off a throwing error. The Doughboys found ways to get runners on base in the second, leading to a two-out, Adam Goolsby ground ball that got misplayed by the River Riders’ second baseman, bringing home a pair of runs, giving Johnson City the lead without a hit.
Elizabethton wouldn’t let the lead last for long as the first pitch of the second inning would fly over the short right field fence to tie the game.
The third inning would be the third inning in a row in which Tony Neubeck would strike out the side, and his first 10 outs were recorded via the strikeout. Johnson City would run to the bat rack once again in the fourth with a pair of singles, a walk and Matt Miceli using his shoulder to drive in a run from a hit by pitch.
The scoring wouldn’t end there as Isaiah Frost would come up, his first game all season not batting first in the lineup, and knock a two-run single into right center. The inning would end on that play, as Frost got thrown out trying to stretch it to a double.
From the second inning on, it was smooth sailing for Tony Neubeck and the Doughboys defensively. Neubeck would go five innings, giving up two runs, one earned, while striking out 13 River Riders.
Will Westbrock would make his first appearance for the Doughboys and play with fire in his first inning of work, putting a runner in scoring position before getting out of the inning without harm.
The long ball would be the name of the game for Elizabethton on Tuesday, as the seventh inning brought two more home runs, tying the ballgame up for the first time since the fourth.
Johnson City would move on and get out of the inning with the lead, but the bats wouldn’t answer right away.
The ninth inning would start off rough for the Doughboys as the first two hitters would go down in order. Isaiah Frost singled to extend the inning, then Michael Moss hit a deep fly ball over the center fielder, plating the go-ahead run for Johnson City.
The Doughboys would go into the ninth looking to close out their first win in Will Westbrock’s fourth inning of work in the game.
The River Riders would get the first two hitters on base, then a shallow flyout would lead to Owen Carapolletti once again hurting the Doughboys.
He came into the at-bat 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. The count would go to full, but he wouldn’t strike out again as he sent the 3-2 pitch deep over the right field wall, ending the game on a walk-off bomb.
The home run would be the fourth of the game for Elizabethton, sending the Doughboys to 0-6 on the season.
Up next, Johnson City closes out the road trip Wednesday in Kingsport before coming back home Thursday to play Kingsport.
