Elizabethton swept by Ridge Runners in Bluefield
Right fielder Mario Zabala went 2-for-4 with a homer
The Elizabethton River Riders were swept by the Ridge Runners on Wednesday night after a 6-4 defeat in Bluefield at Bowen Field. Right fielder Mario Zabala finished 2-for-4 with his fourth home run of the season.
The Ridge Runners jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first against starting RHP Alex Brewer. RHP Chandler Padgett faced two batters and completed the first inning before Brewer came out and pitched 4 1/3 innings.
In the top of the third, Zabala led off the inning with his fourth home run of the season, cutting Bluefield’s lead down to 3-1. At the end of the inning, manager Kevin Riggs was ejected for the second time this season after Marcus Brown and Bluefield third baseman Myles McKisic collided at third base.
Bluefield scored three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a bases-clearing double by left fielder Lawson Harrill, extending the Ridge Runners’ lead to 6-1, before Elizabethton got a run back in the eighth on shortstop John Montes’ single to score left fielder DJ Sullivan.
In the top of the ninth, Elizabethton scored two runs as Zabala singled in Sam Thompson and Sullivan knocked in Eli Young. However, Bluefield still finished off the win in the ninth after the rally.
Elizabethton will return home the rest of the week and host the Burlington Sock Puppets for a two-game series starting Thursday. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday at NCCU Ballpark, fans can enjoy beer specials all evening with discounted brat prices as well. Fans can listen/watch the River Riders with the links below.