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By: Andrew Smith

GREENEVILLE–The Greeneville Flyboys (11-11) used multiple big innings to slug their way past the Elizabethton River Riders (10-12) on Saturday night by a final score of 11-1. Second baseman Brock Daniels went 2-for-4 with a run scored and five RBI.

The victory gave Greeneville sole possession of second place in the Appalachian League West for the first time all season, moving them six games behind first-place Kingsport. For Elizabethton, it is the first time all season that they have fallen below second in the division.

The River Riders looked to strike first in the top of the first. After a leadoff single, center fielder Brendan Jones was picked off while trying to steal second. Then, designated hitter Avery Owusu-Asiedu and third baseman Harrison Rodgers singled, putting runners on the corners with no outs. After a strikeout, left fielder Zach Freeman walked to load the bases. However, Flyboys starter Jack Liberio got a strikeout to get out of the jam.

Elizabethton would eventually score the game’s first run in the top of the third. Owusu-Asiedu hit a 400-foot home run to right-center field with one out to make the game 1-0. It looked as if the River Riders would add on in the frame, as they would once again load the bases. But once again, Liberio got out of the jam.

The Flyboys were finally able to score in the bottom of the fourth. After a lead-off walk by shortstop Dub Gleeb, Daniels hit a two-run home run to give Greeneville its first lead of the night. Left fielder Myles Smith would add a solo shot in the frame, making it 3-1 after four.

The big damage was done in the bottom of the sixth, as Greeneville sent ten hitters to the plate in the frame as they would score six times. First baseman Ian Daugherty, third baseman Jack O’Reilly, right fielder Cian Sahler, center fielder Saborn Campbell, Gleed, and Daniels all got one RBI in the inning. When the dust settled in the frame, it was a 9-1 for the Flyboys.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Flyboys added on two more runs for good measure. Daniels got another run-scoring hit, a two-run single with two outs in the frame that brought home catcher Cameron LaLiberte and Campbell. The lead was extended to 11-1, and that is where it would stay.

Elizabethton will return to Greeneville on Sunday for a seven-inning contest to end the two-game series. First pitch from Pioneer Park will be at 5:30 p.m.

 

Final                 R  H  E

River Riders     1    9    2

Flyboys            11   11   0

 

W: Jordan Hamberg (1-0)

L: Collin Rothermel (2-3)

S: Caleb Jones (1)