BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — The Tri-State Coal Cats jumped out to an early lead but couldn’t hang on, falling 6-5 to the Bluefield Ridge Runners on a walk-off single Wednesday night at Bowen Field.
The Cats (8-13) struck quickly in the first inning. Julio Solier came home on a throwing error following Chandler Murray’s RBI single, which also scored Sal Mineo. Bishop Quarles added to the rally with a single that brought in Murray, giving Tri-State an early 3-0 edge.
After Bluefield (12-10) got on the board in the second, Tri-State responded in the third with a Cesar Gonzalez RBI single that plated Ryan Maggy to make it 4-1.
Bluefield chipped away steadily. Ryan Niedzwiedz tripled and scored in the third, then delivered a solo home run in the seventh to cut the Cats’ lead to 5-4. Gonzalez had briefly padded Tri-State’s advantage in the top half of the frame with a solo shot of his own — his first of the season — but the Ridge Runners continued to surge late.
Niedzwiedz struck again in the eighth with an RBI single to tie the game, and in the bottom of the ninth, Jackson Thomas delivered the decisive blow with a walk-off single that scored Nathan Nichols.
Tri-State managed 10 hits on the night but couldn’t capitalize in key moments. It marked yet another contest in which the Cats held a late lead only to let it slip away.
Coal Cats starter Tucker DeLisle allowed his first earned runs of the season, going four innings and giving up five hits, three runs, four walks and two strikeouts. Jett Hope allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief, while Jack Gibson took the blown save. Carlos Jazmin was tagged with the loss after allowing the game-winning hit in the ninth.
Bluefield starter Victor Christal struck out six over 3 1/3 innings despite surrendering four earned runs. Nick Falla gave up Gonzalez’s homer but kept the Ridge Runners within striking distance through 3 2/3 innings. Deaton Oak and Chase Blease each tossed a scoreless frame to seal the win, with Blease earning his second victory of the year.
Tri-State will look to bounce back in Thursday’s finale. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Bowen Field. For more information about the Tri-State Coal Cats, visit appyleague.com/tri-state or follow @TriStCoalCats on X and Instagram.
