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By: Andrew Smith

GREENEVILLE–The Elizabethton River Riders (12-15) earned a series split on Friday night as they defeated the Greeneville Flyboys (13-14) by a final score of 7-3. Right fielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu went 2-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI.

The win brought the River Riders back into a tie with the Johnson City Doughboys for third place in the West division. It also only put them back to just one game behind the Flyboys for second place.

It was not an ideal start to the game for Elizabethton, however. The first two Flyboys reached base to start the game, one on an error and one on a hit by pitch. Starting pitcher Jackson Holmes looked to be making his way out of trouble after getting a flyout and a strikeout, but Greeneville catcher Ian Daugherty made Holmes pay for a mistake, as he hit a three-run shot to left field. This gave the Flyboys a 3-0 lead after one.

The Flyboys looked to add on in the second, as they got runners on first and second with one out. Then, on a double steal attempt, lead runner Myles Smith got thrown out at third by catcher Connor Price for out number two. Holmes would then walk a batter and hit a batter to load the bases. However, he would get a flyout to end the inning with no damage done.

The River Rider offense would capitalize on the momentum of keeping it 3-0. The top of the third saw Elizabethton score six runs on just two hits, but they did draw five walks to keep heavy traffic on the basepaths. A run scored on a double by designated hitter Issac Williams and a walk by left fielder Brendan Jones, respectively. Then, the big blow, a bases-clearing double to left-center by Owusu-Asiedu. Another run scored on a groundout to shortstop to make it 6-3.

E-Town added another run in the fifth. With one out, Price doubled to left field. Then, after a flyout, shortstop Peyton Basler hit a single to center to bring Price home, and it was now 7-3.

It would stay that way for the rest of the game, as Holmes went three more innings after stranding the bases loaded in the second, before giving way to the River Riders bullpen, who combined to throw four scoreless innings while only giving up two hits and one walk.

Next up on the schedule for the River Riders is a trip to Kingsport on Saturday night to take on the Axmen. First pitch from Hunter Wright Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Meanwhile, the Flyboys will welcome the Johnson City Doughboys to town on Saturday. The contest is set for 7 p.m. from Pioneer Park.

 

Final                   R     H     E     LOB

River Riders      7      7       1       6

Flyboys               3     5       0       8

 

W: Jackson Holmes (3-0)

L: Ryan Schiefer (1-2)