ELIZABETHTON – Greeneville capitalized on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth inning to knot the score 2-2 against Elizabethton before the River Riders delivered a single to secure a 3-2 victory on Thursday night at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark.

Greeneville (7-5) stranded four runners on base in the contest as the Flyboys had their chances offensively but would be unable to break through against Elizabethton (6-6) pitching. Six different Greeneville batters notched a hit in the contest as Tayler Aguilar recorded the lone RBI for the Flyboys in the sixth inning.

The Flyboys received another strong start on the mound as Connor Harris scattered one run and four hits through four innings of work. Elizabethton opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning as Sam Thompson delivered a two-out double that plated a run to make it 1-0.

Greeneville looked to even the score in the third inning following a single from Grant Lashure and a walk from Homer Bush, Jr. to start the frame. The rally would lose its steam as Elizabethton recorded an out on a flyball to right field and would throw out Lashure, who tried to advance after tagging from second.

A leadoff single would eventually come around to score for the River Riders in the bottom of the fifth inning as Thompson added his second run-scoring hit of the night to make it 2-0. The Flyboys plated their first run of the night in the sixth as Darius Perry and Jonathan Hogart started the inning with back-to-back singles. Perry would score as Aguilar drove a ball to the warning track in center field to trim the deficit to 2-1.

The Flyboys gained momentum after their pitching and defense stranded three Elizabethton runners on base in the seventh and eighth innings to keep the score at 2-1. Jake Dacunto worked a one-out walk in the ninth to put the potential tying run on base. Dacunto would eventually steal second and move to third on a balk. He scored following a wild pitch as no play would be made at the plate.

Elizabethton sent the crowd home happy in the bottom of the ninth as Robin Fernandez delivered a single through the right side of the infield that allowed the winning run to score and secure the 3-2 victory.

Sam Peddycord suffered his first loss of the season for Greeneville after allowing one run off three hits through 1.1 innings of relief. Greeneville pitching entered the night tied for the league lead in strikeouts with Elizabethton and promptly fanned 12 River Rider batters on the night. Harris and Peddycord each tallied four strikeouts, while Ryan Franklin added three.

Greeneville is back in action on Friday night with a 7 p.m. first pitch scheduled against Elizabethton. The Flyboys return to Pioneer Park on Saturday, June 19th, and Sunday, June 20th. The first 500 fans through the gate on June 19th will receive a throwback Trevor Bauer Bobblehead. Sunday is the first Kids Club Day and the perfect opportunity to play catch with your dad on the field for Father’s Day. Tickets are available by calling the Flyboys ticket office at 423-609-7400. Be sure to visit www.FlyboysBaseball.com for news, upcoming games, promotions, tickets, and more.