KINGSPORT, Tenn. — After taking the series opener against the Axmen on Monday, the State Liners looked to add another win to their record Tuesday evening, but they fell short at the Hunter Wright Ballpark, losing 14-4 in seven innings.
Bristol wasted no time in the top of the first. After loading the bases, Beau Revord drove in the first run with an RBI single. A bases-loaded walk plated a second run, and with two outs, Brady Gray smashed a double to tack on two more, giving the State Liners a quick 4-0 lead.
Kingsport answered with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning, cutting the deficit in half. Despite a collision and knee injury for Jean Carlos Garcia-Chicano in center field, Bristol's defense held on to finish the inning with an impressive diving catch from Joe DuSell.
After the Axmen trimmed the lead to 4-3 with a solo home run in the second inning, the game turned sharply in their favor. Kingsport recorded five runs in the bottom of the third, turning a tie game into an 8-4 advantage. The Axmen continued to pile on, scoring two in the fourth, three more in the fifth and another in the sixth to take a commanding 14-4 lead.
Despite early momentum and several walks and singles from the likes of Patrick Gillen, Collin Dobson and Elijah Alexander, the State Liners were unable to find answers at the plate after the first inning. Kingsport’s pitching settled in and locked out Bristol in the seventh and final frame due to the mercy rule.
The State Liners’ record moves to 3-2 before they start a series against the Bluefield Ridge Runners at 7 p.m. Wednesday at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
