River Riders use early offense to earn series split with WhistlePigs

Published 9:07 am Saturday, June 25, 2022

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By: Andrew Smith

The Elizabethton River Riders (10-11) found their way back into the win column on Friday night as they defeated the Princeton WhistlePigs (9-12) by a final score of 9-7. Right fielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu went 3-for-5 on the night with three RBI and a run scored. He also finished just a triple shy of the cycle.

The win salvaged the seven-game homestand for Elizabethton, as they went 2-5 through the stretch. It also broke a losing skid where the squad had lost nine of its previous ten outings, with the lone win coming Tuesday night against Bluefield.

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Princeton got the scoring started in the first inning. After a single by shortstop Woody Hadeen and a walk by first baseman Owen Blackledge, third baseman Bronson Rivera hit a single to bring home Hadeen. Before E-Town could bat, it was 1-0 WhistlePigs.

However, the River Riders would quickly respond, as Owusu-Asiedu would hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the first into the Elizabethton bullpen in right field. After a full frame, it was tied at 1-1. Owusu-Asiedu credited his pregame work focusing on his approach.

“I’ve been working with coach Andy [Tomberlin],” Owusu-Asiedu said. “Been trying to see the ball deep, get my barrel to the ball, and just being on time, so that’s what worked today.”

E-Town added two more in the bottom of the second. Catcher Connor Price brought home third baseman Brody Green on a single up the middle after Green’s one-out double. Price would score as well when he came home on a single by second baseman Peyton Basler. Through two, Elizabethton led 3-1.

The WhistlePigs got one of those runs back in the top of the third. After a hit by pitch and a single, there were runners on the corners and just one out. River Rider pitcher Trevor Callahan attempted a pick off throw to first, but threw it away, allowing Hadeen to score from third. The lead was cut to 3-2.

In the bottom of the fourth, the River Rider offense would erupt. They would send eight hitters to the plate, with four scoring. Left fielder Issac Williams brought home Price on a single, Williams would score on a sacrifice fly from center fielder Austin Roccaforte, and Owusu-Asiedu brought home Basler and shortstop Harrison Rodgers on a single. After all of the damage, it was 7-2 in favor of Elizabethton. 

The Blue and Yellow were able to get two more insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, Roccaforte got a two-run single to score first baseman Brennan Orf and Basler. Through seven, Elizabethton led 9-2.

Those insurance runs would be needed, as the WhistlePigs exploded for five runs in the top of the eighth. The big blow in the inning was a grand slam to right field off the bat of center fielder Jesse Robinson. When the dust settled, it was 9-7, and that is where it would stay.

The River Riders will look to start a hot streak and begin a two-game series against the Greeneville Flyboys on Saturday. First pitch from Pioneer Park will be at 7 p.m. The WhistlePigs will travel to Pulaski to start a two-game set against the River Turtles on Saturday. The game will start at 7 p.m.

Final                R   H   E

WhistlePigs    7    7    2

River Riders  9   12    3

W: Jess Miller (1-1)

L: Brett Karalius (1-2)