JOHNSON CITY— If the Elizabethton Cyclones were comparing their first two games in the District 1-AA baseball tournament being played at TVA Credit Union Ballpark to a board game, it would have to be Battleship as everything that Coach Ryan Presnell’s team has done has resulted in sinking its opposition with one direct hit after another.

The end result is a showdown with Unicoi County Monday evening in the winner’s bracket final.

Friday

Happy Valley…….2

Elizabethton…….12

After the Warriors had to fight to the bitter end on Thursday evening against Johnson County to have a shot at getting into the double-elimination bracket tournament, Happy Valley couldn’t find a way to slow down their cross-town rival as the Cyclones took advantage of several Warrior miscues for the big win.

“It was a rivalry game coming in the first game of the tournament for us, and they came off a big win last night so they had to use a lot of pitchers to get here to this game,” said Presnell. “Our guys did a great job of putting pressure on the defense and moving runners like we should.

“I am proud of the way they played, and I am also proud of Tre Shoun and Colten Miller the way they pitched tonight.”

Happy Valley hung two runs on the board in the top of the first, but the lead was short-lived as Elizabethton responded in the bottom of the inning with four runs to take a lead they would never surrender.

Corey Russell got things rolling with a walk for Elizabethton with a walk and was followed by an Evan Perkins double and a Matthew Dailey single.

The Cyclones sandwiched a two-run second inning between another four-run third to get all the cushion they would need in taking a 10-2 lead into the top of the fourth inning.

‘Betsy added a solo run in the home side of the fourth inning before taking advantage of an errant throw to third base on a steal attempt that allowed the 10-run rule to be in effect in the bottom of the sixth.

The Cyclones got only seven hits in the contest but took advantage of seven errors committed by the Warriors.

Russell and Perkins collected two hits apiece to show the way for Elizabethton. Dailey, Nico Ashley, and Nick Johnson collected one hit each.

The Warriors were only able to work four hits off winning pitcher Shoun as Nolan Easlic led the way with a 2-for-3 plate performance.

“It’s always good to come out and get it going early,” said Russell. “If you fall behind, it’s hard playing with your back against the wall if you lose that first game.

“When you come out and win that first one, it kind of sets up your pitching for later on and builds your confidence as well.”

Saturday

Elizabethton….14

Sullivan East…  0

Elizabethton didn’t miss a stride in their second-round game Saturday as the Cyclones rapped out 14 hits and tallied 14 runs to win over the Patriots in five innings.

Evan Carter and Matthew Dailey had the Patriots guessing all day from the mound as East managed a meager two hits in the loss.

Ethan Eggleston and Dailey paced the Cyclone offense smacking three hits apiece in the win. Ryan Wetzel, Carter, and Logan Estep were hot at the dish with the trio collecting a pair of hits each.

Elizabethton sparkled defensively in the field as they played error-free baseball.

Carter collected the win toeing the rubber while Dailey finished off the Patriots over the last two innings of play.