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By: Andrew Smith

The Elizabethton River Riders (19-19) took game three of the weekend series against the Johnson City Doughboys (19-20) on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 5-0. Starting pitcher Collin Rothermel went six innings, giving up no runs on just four hits, walking three and striking out three.

The win moved the River Riders into second place in the Appalachian League West, a half game ahead of the Doughboys. Elizabethton also clinched a win in the season series over Johnson City, as they moved to 6-1 against the Doughboys with three games remaining between the two.

Through three and a half innings, the game remained scoreless. That was until designated hitter Brody Green stepped up to the plate with right fielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu on third base and two outs. Green hit a flyball deep to right field and over the fence for a two-run home run. The Riders led 2-0 through four.

Elizabethton added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Owusu-Asiedu and third baseman Harrison Rodgers hit back-to-back RBI singles with two outs, extending the lead to 4-0.

The Doughboys looked to threaten in the top of the sixth, as they were able to get two runners on base with two outs in the frame. However, they were unable to capitalize, as Rothermel was able to induce a pop up in foul territory to end his day and end the threat.

E-Town got one more insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, when shortstop Peyton Basler was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Green. The lead moved to 5-0, and that is where it would stay for the rest of the day.

After a league-wide off day on Monday, the River Riders will make a trip to Kingsport to take on the first-place Axmen. First pitch from Hunter Wright Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Johnson City will play host to the Princeton WhistlePigs on Tuesday. The game is set for 7 p.m. from TVA Credit Union Ballpark.

 

Final/7                 R      H      E      LOB

Doughboys          0       4       2       7

River Riders        5       4       0       7

 

W: Collin Rothermel (3-3)

L: Jacob Bockenstedt (2-2)