Riders fall to Flyboys
Published 4:27 pm Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde The River Riders gather for prayer before the game Sunday evening at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Carrie Maggard and Rich McDougall perform the national anthem at the River Riders game Sunday evening.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Carrie Maggard gives a stunning rendition of the National Anthem Sunday evening at the River Riders game in Elizabethton.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Pitcher Colin Murphy delivers a pitch against the Flyboys Sunday evening at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde The River Riders center fielder gets the first out of the first inning as they face the Greeneville Flyboys Sunday evening.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Cole Torbett throws in after snagging a ball off the left-field wall.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Second baseman Adam Magpoc makes the tagout for the River Riders.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde River Riders players congratulate one another after a stunning double play.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Kain Collins takes a swing Sunday evening against the Greeneville Flyboys.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde #3 Adam Magpoc gets ahold of one for the River Riders Sunday evening against the Flyboys.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde #3 Adam Magpoc heads for first after making a connection.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Cole Torbett comes up just short of a single for the River Riders Sunday evening at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Young River Riders fans participate in a sack race between innings.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Shortstop Carlos Irizarry dives for a ball hit to left field Sunday evening as the River Riders face the Greeneville Flyboys.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde River Riders second baseman Adam Magpoc makes the throw to first after tagging up for the double play.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
Once again, the Elizabethton River Riders got a quality start from their pitcher, but the relievers gave up late runs in a one-run loss. On Saturday at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark, the bullpen faltered, resulting in a 3-2 loss for the Riders.
“I told you the other night about errors, and that’s what got us tonight,” River Riders manager Jeremy Owens said. “We had three errors that led to all the runs they scored. Our approach to hitting has not been any better as they swing for the fences every time, and I can’t get them to cut down on their swings.”
The Riders (8-14) took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when right fielder Brady Picarelli singled with one out, and shortstop Carlos Irizarry reached on a throwing error from Greeneville starter Hunter Sloop, putting runners on first and second. Catcher Kade Huff brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to center field, giving Riders starter Colin Murphy a one-run lead. Murphy was solid over five innings, giving up one run on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
In the top of the fifth, the Flyboys got to Murphy when Avery Ortiz doubled to left field to open the inning and went to third on an error by left fielder Cole Torbett. Ortiz scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 1-1.
In the sixth, Johnson City native Spencer Powell came on in relief of Murphy and proceeded to give up the lead. B.J. Peart and Nick Arias opened the inning with back-to-back singles, and with one out, Brodie Johnston hit a high chopper to third that James Woody II saw tick off the top of his glove for an error, allowing Peart to score. An Ortiz single scored Arias, giving Greeneville a 3-1 advantage.
“Woody made a couple of nice plays in this game, but once again, errors cost us runs,” Owens said.
The Riders got one run back in the last of the sixth on a single by Adam Magpoc, who stole second and went to third when the catcher’s throw went into center field. Magpoc scored on a wild pitch from Sloop.
Sloop earned the win, going six innings and giving up just four hits while striking out seven with a devastating fastball. Brock Toney pitched two scoreless innings, and Brady Frederick got the save with a scoreless ninth.
The Riders ran themselves out of the seventh when Huff walked with two outs and attempted to score from second base on a double from Colin Sloan but was thrown out at the plate.
Greeneville 3-2
Greeneville 000 012 000 – 3 10 2
River Riders 010 001 000 – 2 5 3
W – Sloop (1-0) L – Powell (1-1)
