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The Elizabethton River Riders (6-2) got back in the win column in convincing fashion on Thursday night by defeating the Greeneville Flyboys (3-5) by a final score of 11-4. Third baseman Harrison Rodgers went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored.

The win marked the end of a winning homestand for the River Riders, as they went 4-2 over the course of the first six home games. Manager Jeremy Owens said that it was important for the club to get off to a good start at home.

“It was real important that we set a tone early in the year,” Owens said. “When you’re winning, the atmosphere is good, the fans are staying at the game. Winning is great and it’s part of the development, but the key is we’re seeing things as we’re discussing the game.”

The Flyboys nearly scored the game’s first run in the first inning. First baseman Beau Ankeney hit a single to right field with second baseman Brock Daniels on second base. Daniels rounded third and was heading towards the plate, but a throw from right fielder Morgan Colopy would cut Daniels down at the plate to keep the game scoreless.

Elizabethton would come through big time in the second and third innings, scoring three and five runs, respectively. In the third, Rodgers came home on a triple from catcher Cayden Phillips, Phillips would score on a single from center fielder Isaac Williams single, and Williams would score on a single by shortstop Peyton Basler.

In the third, Rodgers would hit a long two-run home run to right field to score Colopy, left fielder Brendan Jones would hit a double to score Phillips and first baseman Brennan Orf, and Basler would bring home Jones on another single. After three, the River Riders led 8-0.

Greeneville would get on the scoreboard in the fifth. Right fielder Cian Sahler and third baseman Will Brown each came home on a fielder’s choice, with Sahler scoring on a ground ball by catcher Canyon Brown and Brown scoring on a grounder by center fielder Saborn Campbell. The Elizabethton lead was cut to 8-2 midway through.

The River Riders would put up one more crooked number on the board before the night was over. Designated hitter Marcus Sanders would hit a triple to score Williams and Basler, and then Sanders would come home on a wild pitch. Elizabethton led 11-2 after seven.

In the top of the eighth, the Flyboys would get two more on a single by Campbell, but that would be all, as the River Riders held on for an 11-4 win.

For Elizabethton, they will now begin a six-game road trip, with their first stop being in Bristol on Friday night. First pitch between the River Riders and the State Liners will be at 7 p.m.

The Flyboys will welcome the Johnson City Doughboys to Greeneville on Friday. First pitch will also be at 7 p.m.
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R H E
Flyboys 4 5 3
River Riders 11 12 0
W: Bailey (1-0)
L: Yetter (0-2)