HUNTINGTON, W. Va. — The Tri-State Coal Cats (4-3) fell 12-8 to the Johnson City Doughboys (3-4) Thursday night at Jack Cook Field. Despite a spirited late-game rally, defensive miscues and a sluggish start proved too much to overcome.
Johnson City wasted no time, scoring in the first inning when Nate Conner's single plated Logan Fyffe, who had singled on the game's first pitch. The Doughboys extended their lead in the second inning, capitalizing on multiple Tri-State errors. Fyffe reached on a throwing error that scored Jackson Reid, and Willie Hurt followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Tri-State starter Jack Gibson exited after three innings, yielding to Jett Hope, who struggled in relief. Johnson City added seven runs between the fourth and fifth innings, with key contributions from Camden Kaufman, Hurt, and Brandon Chang. By the end of the fifth, the Doughboys held a commanding 10-0 lead.
Doughboys starter Major Osbolt stifled the Coal Cats' offense, delivering five dominant innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven without issuing a walk.
Facing a potential mercy-rule loss after the sixth inning, the Coal Cats avoided disaster in the seventh when Jorge Gonzalez-Febo smashed a three-run homer — his first of the season and the team's first — cutting the deficit to 10-3.
Johnson City answered in the eighth with two insurance runs, including a wild pitch that scored Fyffe and a sacrifice fly from Trey Majette.
The Coal Cats showed resilience, scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Bishop Quarles crossed the plate on a throwing error, Cesar Gonzalez scored on a wild pitch, and Ryan Maggy grounded out but brought home Julio Solier, narrowing the gap to 12-6.
In the ninth, Tri-State continued to fight back. Gonzalez singled to score Xavier Rivera, and Solier followed with an RBI single to bring the score to 12-8. However, the rally ended there, leaving the Cats short of a comeback.
"It's always good to not give up," said manager Tommy Gregg. "We're trying to teach these kids, don't worry about the scoreboard, just keep playing."
Gregg also emphasized the importance of pitching and defense, referencing the costly errors that contributed to Johnson City's lead. "It's tough to win ball games like that," he said.
Tri-State returns to action Friday at Jack Cook Field to face the Greenville Flyboys (3-3). 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.
