Flyboys fall to Ridge Runners after late rally

June 6th, 2021

BLUEFIELD – The Bluefield Ridge Runners outscored the Greeneville Flyboys 9-4 over the final five innings on Saturday night to secure a 10-9 comeback victory at Bowen Field. Greeneville held a 7-1 lead through four and a half innings of play after scoring five runs in the fourth.

Greeneville (1-2) was paced by four hits from catcher Eddie Micheletti and Chris Williams, who delivered a pair of run-scoring hits for the Flyboys. Micheletti, Jonathan Hogart and Christian Ficca combined to produce nine of Greeneville’s 13 hits in the contest.

Flyboys starter Connor Harris scattered three hits over three innings in his first start of the season for Greeneville and finished by fanning three of the four batters that he faced in the third inning.

The offense would click for Greeneville in the top of the fourth inning as the Flyboys tallied three consecutive singles to open the frame. Williams and Jake Dacunto highlighted the frame with back-to-back run-scoring singles for the Flyboys, who claimed a 5-0 advantage after nine batters came to the plate.

Three straight doubles allowed Greeneville to extend its lead to 7-1 in the top of the fifth inning as Ficca and Micheletti plated runs for the Flyboys. Bluefield started its rally in the bottom of the inning as four runs scored to trim the deficit to 7-5. Ben Harris cleared the bases for the Ridge Runners with a two-out double.

Greeneville looked to gain back momentum in the top of the seventh inning as a pair of runs scored to give the Flyboys a 9-6 advantage after Bluefield trimmed the deficit to 7-6. The Ridge Runners knotted the score in the bottom of the frame after sending eight batters to the plate and would take their first lead of the night in the eighth on a double steal with runners at first and third.

The Flyboys will look to get back into the win column against Bluefield on Sunday with a 5:30 p.m. first pitch at Bowen Field. Greeneville hosts Johnson City at Pioneer Park for its inaugural home opener Tuesday, June 8, at 7 p.m. There will be a pregame Fan Fest featuring The Dugger Band along with Fireworks, Dollar Tuesday, and a Magnet Schedule Giveaway. Be sure to visit www.FlyboysBaseball.com for news, upcoming games, promotions, tickets and more.