River Riders cruise to victory against State Liners

Published 8:30 am Friday, August 5, 2022

BRISTOL, Va. – The Elizabethton River Riders (24-26) ended their road slate on Thursday night with a victory over the Bristol State Liners (14-36) by a final score of 10-4. River Riders third baseman Carlo Zorola went 3-for-4 with a run scored, two RBI, and two walks.

The win gave Elizabethton the edge in the overall season series over Bristol, as they won four of the seven games this season. It also allowed the River Riders to remain in position to finish the season at .500, which would require winning out.

After a scoreless first, the River Riders struck first in the top of the second. With runners on the corners and no out, left fielder Nelson Smith scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, a fielder’s choice allowed catcher Cayden Phillips to score from third. After the inning, Elizabethton led 2-0.

E-Town poured it on in the following inning, as they scored four in the third. Phillips came up again with the bases loaded and one out and sent a fly ball deep into right center, clearing the bases with a triple. Phillips scored later in the inning on an error by the State Liners. Through two and a half, the Riders now led 6-0.

The State Liners got on the board in their half of the third. Right fielder RJ Jimerson Jr. was able to come home on a single to right field by designated hitter Sean Smith Jr. The Elizabethton lead was now cut to 6-1.

However, the River Riders were able to get that run right back in the fourth inning. Zorola hit a single to left field to bring home the center fielder Brendan Jones, getting the lead back to six runs at 7-1.

Starting in the fifth, Elizabethton and Bristol each scored one run in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. The River Rider runs were scored by first baseman Reagan Guthrie, Smith, and Jones. Meanwhile, left fielder Max Tracey, third baseman Brandon Nigh, and Smith Jr. crossed home plate. Through seven full innings, E-Town led 10-4, and that is where the contest would stay.

The River Riders will return home on Friday night to close out the season with a two-game series with the Pulaski River Turtles. First pitch from Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark is set for 7 p.m. For the State Liners, they will travel to Johnson City on Friday night to take on the Doughboys in a three-game set. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 6 p.m. from TVA Credit Union Ballpark.

Final                R  H  E  LOB

River Riders  10   8   2   11

State Liners    4    9   4   11

W: Sean Hollister (2-2)

L: Francois Castillo (0-2)

S: Zach Martinez (1)