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CONTRIBUTED BY SPENCER CIHAK

BLUEFIELD, WV – The Elizabethton River Riders dropped game one against the Ridge Runners at Bowen Field in Bluefield 4-3. Left Fielder Robert Bavon (San Jacinto) finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The River Riders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when center fielder Mario Zabala (Florida International) grounded into a double play scoring Bavon, and shortstop Marcus Brown (Oklahoma State University) singled in catcher Knox Preston (Wabash Valley).

The River Riders scored their third and final run in the top of the fourth. Right Fielder Garrison Berkely (TCU) doubled, stole third, and then scored on a wild pitch.

E-Town starter LHP Andy Quintana (St.Thomas) faced the minimum through three innings pitched and struck out three.

In the fourth, Quintana recorded two outs, striking out one, while walking three, and allowing one run to score on a wild pitch. RHP Gehrig Mosiello was brought in and ended the inning after one batter faced.

In the top of the fifth, Bluefield scored one run cutting the deficit in half, 3-2 River Riders.

The Ridge Runners tied the game at three in the bottom of the sixth.

In the bottom of the eighth, catcher Eric Gritz (North Carolina) doubled in designated hitter Joshuan Sandoval (MidAmerica Nazarene) to make it 4-3 Ridge Runners.