HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Tri-State Coal Cats split their doubleheader Friday against the Danville Otterbots at Jack Cook Field, claiming a hard-fought 2-0 win in the resumed Game 1 before falling short in Game 2, 6-4.
Game 1
Friday’s opener resumed in the top of the seventh after being suspended Thursday night due to lightning. The Cats, who entered the frame locked in a scoreless tie, scratched across two critical runs to secure the victory.
Xavier Rivera broke the deadlock with an RBI single in the seventh, driving in Julio Solier. Michael Rodriguez added an insurance run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly that scored Ryan Maggy.
Tri-State’s bullpen delivered another strong performance, led by Reynaldo Castro’s Appalachian League debut. Castro earned the win with two innings of no-hit ball, allowing just two walks and striking out one. Evan Jones capped the effort with a scoreless ninth to notch his first save of the season.
Danville’s offense managed just three hits in the contest, as the Otterbots dropped to 5-14. Meanwhile, Tri-State improved to 8-10.
Game 2
In Game 2, the Coal Cats’ late rally wasn’t enough to overcome defensive miscues, as they fell, 6-4, to the Otterbots in the shortened seven-inning contest.
Despite tallying nine hits, Tri-State’s two errors proved costly. The Cats built an early 2-0 lead, with Sal Mineo singling home Jackson Golden and Cesar Gonzalez doubling in Bishop Quarles.
Danville (6-14) responded with three runs in the fourth, highlighted by Garrett Scholl’s two-run single and Aimon Chandler’s RBI single. Tri-State clawed back in the fifth, tying the game at 4-4 after Quarles drove in a run and Golden worked a bases-loaded walk.
The Otterbots regained control in the sixth, as a sac fly from Micah Dean plated a run, followed by Alex Conover grounding into a double play that scored Zach Altamura. Peyton Huff sealed the win in the seventh to earn his second save of the season.
For Tri-State, Kenyon Collins delivered a gritty six-inning outing, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out five. Collins, now leading the Appalachian League with 28 strikeouts, was relieved by Branson McCloud, who surrendered two runs in the sixth and took the loss.
Danville’s Matthew Spada turned in a solid start, allowing two earned runs over four innings. Jai Hewitt picked up the win with a scoreless fifth, and Huff closed the game for the save.
The Coal Cats (8-11) will look to bounce back in Game 3 of the series Saturday night at Jack Cook Field. First pitch is scheduled 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.
