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By: Andrew Smith

The Kingsport Axmen (14-3) won their fifth straight game on Sunday afternoon over the Elizabethton River Riders (8-9) by a final of 6-1 in a seven-inning affair. Left fielder Ian Riley went 4-for-4 with three runs scored.

The loss was the seventh in a row for the River Riders, who have not won a game since June 11, a 5-0 win against the Bristol State Liners. For Kingsport, their five-game streak has allowed them to tie the Burlington Sock Puppets for the best record in the Appalachian League.

The Axmen got the scoring started in the top of the first. Riley led off the game with an infield single. He came around to score on a single by catcher Shea McGahan, giving Kingsport a 1-0 lead before starter Cole Hales could throw a pitch.

In the top of the third, Kingsport added two more. Riley singled again before being brought home on a single by center fielder Sam Petersen. Right fielder Matt Block also touched home in the frame on a wild pitch. It was 3-0 Axmen through two and a half.

The River Riders got on the board in the bottom of the third. Third baseman Harrison Rodgers would reach on a two-out walk and came home to score on a double by right fielder Morgan Colopy. After three, it was 3-1 in favor of the Axmen.

Kingsport would put the game away in the sixth. After a single by shortstop Aaron Casillas, second baseman Darien Farley would hit a two-run homer to left field, his first hit of the season, to extend the lead to 5-1. Petersen added another RBI single in the frame as well, making it 6-1 after five and a half.

Nothing was going for the E-Town offense in the last two frames, and the score of 6-1 held. After a league-wide off day on Monday, the River Riders will continue a seven-game homestand against the Bluefield Ridge Runners. First pitch from Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night. Kingsport will play host to the Bristol State Liners on Tuesday. The game will start at 7 p.m. at Hunter Wright Stadium.

 

Final/7 R H E

Axmen 6 12 0

River Riders 1 5 1

 

W: Hales (2-0)

L: Rothermel (2-2)