Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Carter Jones

JOHNSON CITY – The Johnson City Doughboys fell behind in a late-inning comeback by the Bristol State Liners, losing 2-1.

Johnson City got a lot of help early on from its starting pitcher, Blake Dean. After giving up a leadoff hit to his first batter, Dean dialed in from there as he recorded 12 outs through his 14 batters faced, giving up no runs.

The offense had Dean’s back in the second inning when Brandon Chang reached first on a fielder’s choice, and Trey Majette brought him home soon after with an RBI line drive into left field, giving the Doughboys an early 1-0 lead.

Things went quiet on offense for both sides. Relief pitcher Nolan Meadly held the lead on the mound for Johnson City, while Matthew Bienvenu did the same for the State Liners. The next hit of the game wouldn’t come until the sixth inning with a single by Cam Kaufman.

Bristol tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. After a leadoff single by Prince DeBoskie, Patrick Gillen smashed a line drive down the left-field line, where he was caught trying to extend his run to second.

Bristol followed it up in the bottom of the seventh. After holding Johnson City on offense, Chris Patterson led off with a single and stole second shortly after. Patterson worked his way to third on an infield error before the designated hitter gave Bristol the lead with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Johnson City couldn’t respond in the later innings. With the tying run on second after back-to-back walks, Logan Dunn hit a sharp line drive that was caught by left fielder Joe DuSell to cut the Doughboys’ comeback short. Final score: 2-1.

Johnson City will begin a new series against the Greenville Flyboys on Thursday for a quick two-game set at TCA Credit Union Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.