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By: Andrew Smith

Star Correspondent

The Johnson City Doughboys (19-18) took game one of three against the Elizabethton River Riders (17-19) on Friday night by a final of 14-3. Johnson City center fielder McKay Barney went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI.

The win pushed the Doughboys’ lead over the Riders to one and a half games for second place in the Appy League West. It also allowed them to gain ground on the first-place Kingsport Axmen in the standings.

Johnson City got the scoring started in the top of the first. With runners on second and third with one out, third baseman Roberto Peña hit a ground ball to second baseman Marcus Sanders to bring home Barney. The Doughboys led 1-0 after one.

The top of the second saw three more runs added on for the Doughboys. Barney hit an RBI single to score right fielder Isaiah Frost, before designated hitter Scott Combs hit a two-run single to extend the lead to 4-0.

J.C. got one more run in the top of the fifth inning. Once again, Barney delivered as he hit into a fielder’s choice to bring home Frost from third. It was 5-0 Doughboys at the game’s halfway point.

The River Riders finally got their first run of the night in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on first and second, catcher Jackson Bryan tried to back pick the runner at first base. However, his throw went into right field and designated hitter Peyton Basler scored from second, cutting the lead to 5-1.

Johnson City then blew the game open in the top of the eighth inning, scoring nine runs on seven hits, as well as one walk and two hit by pitches. They got run-scoring hits from Peña, left fielder Jared Johnson, shortstop Ashton King, Barney, and an RBI groundout from Bryan. When all of the damage was done, it was 14-1 Doughboys.

E-Town got two in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and the bases loaded, Sanders hit a double into the left field corner, plating right fielder Morgan Colopy and third baseman Brody Green. That is where the Riders would leave it, as they fell 14-3.

The two teams will play from Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark again on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

 

Final                    R      H      E      LOB

Doughboys        14      12      1      11

River Riders        3       6      1       9

 

W: Justin Guiliano (3-1)

L: Evan Loeser (1-2)