PULASKI, Va. — The Tri-State Coal Cats opened their second road trip of the season with a 9-6 loss to the Pulaski River Turtles on Tuesday night at Calfee Park. A frustrating combination of defensive struggles and late-game miscues once again proved costly as Tri-State (4-6) dropped its fourth consecutive game.
Pulaski (7-4) set the tone early with a pair of home runs in the second inning, marking the first long balls surrendered by the Coal Cats this season. Aiden Torrez launched a solo shot, and JT Taylor followed with a two-run homer to put the River Turtles ahead, 4-1.
Tri-State clawed back in the fourth inning, erupting for four runs to take a brief lead. Tyler Smolinski’s RBI single brought home Ryan Maggy, followed by Chandler Murray’s RBI single to score Xavier Rivera. Jorge Gonzalez-Febo added a sacrifice fly to plate Smolinski, and Sal Mineo’s RBI single capped the rally, putting the Coal Cats ahead, 5-4.
However, the lead was short-lived. Pulaski responded with five unanswered runs across the fifth and sixth innings, capitalizing on relief pitcher Mason Sylvest, who allowed two hits and issued three walks in just a single inning of work.
Maggy’s solo home run in the eighth inning offered a glimmer of hope, but the Coal Cats were unable to muster a late rally. The homer brought Maggy’s RBI total to 10 on the season, double that of the next-closest batter on Tri-State’s roster, showcasing his status as a key contributor in the lineup. Pulaski’s Kyle Knoll earned the win with three strong innings of relief, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
Pulaski narrowly outhit Tri-State, 10-9, but the Coal Cats’ defensive lapses and a staggering 10 walks issued by their pitching staff proved decisive.
Tri-State will aim to break its losing streak and even the series Wednesday night at Calfee Park, with first pitch 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.
