On Thursday night, in their home finale, the Pulaski River Turtles swept the Danville Otterbots with an 8-7 win.
Despite Danville’s late surge, Pulaski’s hot start propelled it to a win in its final home game of the 2022 season. Appy League home run leader Christian Smith hitting a homer in his third straight game, designated hitter Brian Nicolas continued his hot streak and a 90-minute rain delay took place in the middle of the fourth inning.
Smith has caught fire for the River Turtles. In the bottom of the first, Smith hit a three-run bomb over the right field wall to put Pulaski up early, 3-0, and put his home run total to 12.
Homers continued to fly for Pulaski as center fielder Rodney Green Jr. hit a solo shot in the second, and designated hitter Brian Nicolas hit a two-run shot in the third to make it 6-0.
Danville got on the board in the fourth with a two-run double from left fielder Luke Churchill to make it 6-2.
With two outs in the top of the fourth, storm clouds rolled in over Calfee Park. This resulted in the rain delay. Luckily, the teams were able to step back onto the field to finish the home finale.
In the fifth, Danville cut the lead down to three off an RBI single from second baseman Ty Acker to make it, 6-3.
Danville continued to threaten Pulaski’s lead. In the sixth, RBI doubles from center fielder Cayden Brumbaugh and designated hitter Jevin Relaford cut the River Turtles' advantage to just one run.
This didn’t stop Pulaski, as they answered back with a two-RBI single from third baseman Konner Kinkade to make it 8-5. Danville continued to battle as two bases-loaded walks resulted in runs for the Otterbots.
After this, Brody Wilson (S,1) came in and shut down Danville’s batters, giving Pulaski the win.
Matt Sivering (1-0) earned the win, as he went two innings, allowing three earned runs off four hits, while walking two batters and striking out three. The loss went to Mason Keller (0-1), as he went three innings, allowing six earned runs off six hits, two walks and one strikeout.
Danville will now go back home for their season finale as they face the Greeneville Flyboys. Pulaski will be traveling to Elizabethton to face the River Riders for their season finale.
