JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Doughboys battled back but fall victim to a long inning, losing, 10-3, against Bristol.
The game started like Tuesday's contest as Bristol struck immediately, scoring the first run via a wild pitch. After that, the pitchers settled in, and a duel would ensue for a while.
Leaving runners on base and not getting hits in scoring position was a major difference for the Doughboys on Tuesday. It was the same Wednesday as Johnson City left 12 runners on base and hitting 1-for-11 with RISP.
The Doughboys loaded the bases in the third, bringing a run home on a Noah Rabin sacrifice fly, but left the bases loaded. The middle innings went on without a hitch, with neither team having a runner touch third in the fourth, fifth, or sixth.
The Doughboys made an error in the seventh inning and the State Liners took advantage, which was taken advantage of. Bristol broke the tie after a throwing error on a steal attempt, making it 2-1.
Johnson City's offense would show in spots, but they could not get anything across. Meanwhile, Bristol added another run in the eighth on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 3-1.
Noah Rabin opened up the Johnson City eighth by tripling down the line before being brought home by a Carson Kerce sac fly. The scoring wouldn't end there, with a pair of two-out hits from Eduardo Morales and Will Epstein bringing home the game-tying run.
After that, the air would come out of the Doughboys' sails, as the ninth started with five walks and a hit batter, giving the State Liners a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Bristol added tacked on grand slam, ending with a seven-run frame.
The Doughboys would battle, putting a few on in the ninth, but wouldn't bring any across as the State Liners took the victory.
The loss takes Johnson City to 0-2 on the season, going into an off day before a three-game series in Burlington.
