PULASKI, Va. — The Tri-State Coal Cats continued their midseason surge Thursday night, outlasting the Pulaski River Turtles, 19-10, in an offensive showcase at Calfee Park.
Tri-State (11-16) has now strung together three straight wins for the first time this season, while Pulaski (15-14) dropped its second in a row.
The Coal Cats erupted for 19 hits and scored in seven of nine innings, with only the seventh and ninth going quietly. Cesar Gonzalez led the offensive barrage, going 4-for-6 with three RBIs and serving as a steady presence in the latter half of the order. Bishop Quarles and Jackson Golden also drove in three runs apiece, and Ryan Maggy belted his fifth home run of the year, a two-run shot in the fourth.
Tri-State took a 1-0 lead in the first before Pulaski responded with two in the bottom half. But the Cats answered with four in the second and never trailed again. A five-run sixth and a four-run eighth sealed the victory, as Tri-State turned timely hits into consistent production throughout the night.
Starter Reynaldo Castro lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks. But the Coal Cats' bullpen was busy and effective enough to seal the deal. Noah LaFine earned the win in relief with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Joe Gomez closed things out with a three-inning save, his second of the year, walking five but not allowing a hit or run.
Pulaski starter Hayes Allen suffered his first loss of the season, giving up five runs over two innings. The River Turtles’ bullpen was tagged for 14 more runs and 15 hits as Tri-State’s bats continued to pile on.
It was another step in the right direction for a Tri-State team finding momentum at a critical time. The Coal Cats now look to keep the streak alive in Friday’s series finale at Calfee Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
For more information about the Tri-State Coal Cats, visit appyleague.com/tri-state or follow @TriStCoalCats on X and Instagram.
