River Riders bullpen shuts down Doughboys for 6-2 win
Published 8:24 am Tuesday, July 23, 2024
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By Ron Marvel
Star Correspondent
The Elizabethton River Riders snapped a five-game losing streak on “Star Wars” night, with the force seemingly with their pitching staff, which surrendered just two earned runs in the contest.
Falling behind after the first inning, 2-0, the River Riders tied the game in the second inning as Kade Huff knocked home a run, and James Woody shot a hard grounder past second to make it 2-2. Huff helped the River Riders take the lead in the fourth inning after a double, then scampered home after a passed ball to go up 4-2.
The River Riders picked up an insurance run in the seven-inning affair in the bottom of the fifth inning as ETSU product Jackson Berry took advantage of another wild pitch to make it 5-2. Looking to put the game out of reach, lead-off hitter Cadyn Karl picked up an RBI to make it 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth.
Offensively for Elizabethton, Huff finished the night going 3-3 with two RBIs, while Berry went 2-3. Defensively, the River Riders were solid all night, flashing the leather and pulling the team out of a couple of tight jams, including a bases-loaded double play in the top of the third. Another bases-loaded opportunity for the Doughboys ended when shortstop Carlos Izzarry made a nice adjustment on a line drive to end Johnson City’s last real scoring threat. The River Riders played error-free in the game.
Johnny Montgomery picked up the win for the River Riders, going an inning and a third, allowing just one hit and one walk. Carson Caudill and Gus Rogers were also strong in relief, with Caudill credited for the hold and Rogers taking the save. Nash Bingham started for Elizabethton, with the UVA Wise athlete going three and two-thirds innings, giving up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out four.
The River Riders will return to action on Wednesday after a couple of days off for the Appalachian League All-Star game, which will be held in Johnson City on Tuesday night, July 23. They will host the Bluefield Ridge Runners, with the first pitch set for 7 p.m.