Coal Cats end road trip with back-to-back losses against Johnson City

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — The Tri-State Coal Cats ended their six-game road trip on a sour note, dropping both weekend contests to the Johnson City Doughboys at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. After a late rally forced a tiebreaker in Saturday’s opener, the Cats were shut out, 10-0, Sunday.

Tri-State is now 11-19 on the season, finishing the midseason road trip with three losses after winning its first three games.

Game 1 – Saturday: Doughboys 8, Coal Cats 8 (tiebreaker loss)

Saturday’s matchup ended in heartbreak, as the Cats clawed back from a six-run deficit to force the Appalachian League’s modified extra-inning format, only to fall short in the bonus frame.

Bishop Quarles powered the comeback, launching two home runs and finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a hit-by-pitch. Julio Soler added a double, walked once, scored twice and stole three bases.

Tri-State scored two in the fifth, one in the sixth, one in the seventh and three in the ninth, highlighted by a pair of clutch home runs, to tie the game at 8-8. But they were unable to capitalize in the tiebreaker inning, which does not count toward official league standings.

Game 2 – Sunday: Doughboys 10, Coal Cats 0

The Cats' offense cooled considerably Sunday, managing just four hits in a 10-0 loss.

Johnson City struck early and often, plating a run in the first and four more in the third, including three via bases-loaded walks. Jackson Jones capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth, his first of the season.

Tri-State was outhit, 8-4, and committed multiple errors for the second consecutive game. Starter Kenyon Collins allowed seven runs on nine hits but struck out six, extending his Appalachian League-leading strikeout total to 37.

Looking Ahead

After a scheduled off day Monday, Tri-State returns home to face the Bluefield Ridge Runners (one of the league’s hottest teams) beginning Tuesday at Jack Cook Field.

Bluefield (20-13) sits atop the Appalachian League standings and has won five of its last six. Tri-State, meanwhile, remains in last place in the East Division. First pitch Tuesday is set for 7 p.m.

For more information about the Tri-State Coal Cats, visit appyleague.com/tri-state or follow @TriStCoalCats on X and Instagram.