Despite seven-run inning, Pulaski falls to Bluefield 

By Kyle Manalo, Pulaski River Turtles | July 17, 2021

The Pulaski River Turtles fell to the Bluefield Ridge Runners in dramatic fashion, 9-8, on Saturday. The highlight of the game would be a seven-run third inning from Pulaski and the game-winning run at second base in the bottom of the ninth.

Bluefield (17-19) would get on the board first, with a run in the first and second innings to make it 2-0.

Despite the Bluefield’s hot start, Pulaski’s hot hitting streak continued as they put up seven runs in the third. John Bay walked with bases loaded would start the scoring off. An E6 during Mark Trotta’s at-bat would put him on base and bring in another run. In the following at-bat, an RBI single by Conner Gore would add another run to Pulaski’s tally. Josh Rolling would follow that up with a two-run double to make it 5-2. A pair of passed balls would bring in Gore and Rolling and bring the score to 7-2.

Bluefield wouldn’t back down though as they would bring in three in the fifth and one in the sixth to make it 7-6 heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Luckily, in the bottom of the sixth, an RBI triple by Ross Lovich would bring in another run for Pulaski and make it 8-6.

Despite that added insurance run, a two-run home run by Bluefield would eliminate Pulaski’s lead and make it 8-8 after seven.

Bluefield would bring in a go-ahead run in the ninth, and that would inevitably be the game-winning run as well.

Despite being down one heading into the bottom of the ninth, Pulaski didn’t hesitate to make it dramatic. Pulaski would have the game-winning run at second base, with a full count, and two outs on the board; but a ground-out to the second baseman would end their hopes of a walk-off win.

The win went to Tyler Lowrey who pitched two scoreless innings. Crayton Burnett picked up the loss as he allowed one hit, one run, and struck out three.

The Turtle of the Game would go to Conner Gore who went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Pulaski (22-14) looks to tie it up in a rematch tomorrow with Bluefield in a seven-inning Sunday game.