Aaron leads Danville with pair of RBIs in Otterbots’ win over Kingsport
The Danville Otterbots took an early lead and never looked back in a 5–1 win over the Kingsport Axmen in Appalachian League action Friday night …
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Danville Otterbots took an early lead and never looked back in a 5–1 win over the Kingsport Axmen in Appalachian League action Friday night.
Danville ace Ty Lawson (UNC-Wilmington) and Kingsport starter Jacob Gholston (Oklahoma) dueled it out in the opening two innings and the result was a scoreless tie heading into the third. That’s where the Otterbots changed the theme, tagging the Axmen for a crooked three-spot. Jaxon Goldberg (UCF) got the ‘Bots on the board when he scored on an error on former Chatham standout Carrington Aaron’s ground ball and Kaden Martin (East Tennessee State) doubled down on the lead with his RBI groundout. Cole Johnson (Oklahoma State) made it a 3–0 contest with his groundout that plated Aaron.
Danville (21–11) tacked on another pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Goldberg’s triple scored Jackson Tyer (Delaware) and Aaron pushed Goldberg across moments later with his groundout to third.
The Otterbots’ pitching was on point all night, shutting out the Axmen over eight innings and allowing only three hits over 5.3 thrown. Lawson threw two innings of two-hit, shutout ball while Ty Parker gave up just one hit and no runs and struck out three in 2.2 innings tossed.
Shawn Scott (Tennessee) got the win on the bump, throwing 1.1 innings of hitless relief wihle striking out one. Former Halifax County standout Mason Hatcher (Radford University) scattered four hits and no runs and struck out five in two innings thrown. Carter Holjes (UNC-Wilmington) closed things down, striking out two and giving up a single run in the ninth.
Kingsport (15–17) entered the bottom of the ninth in a five-run hole. However, the Axmen refused to be shutout, scoring a run in the frame for the final score. RJ Johnson (Rutgers) reached on a two-out, hit by pitch and a wild pitch moved him into scoring position. Devan Zirwas (VCU) got Kingsport on the board moments later with his single to center that plated Johnson.
Aaron led Danville with two RBI while Martin, Johnson and Goldberg drove in a run apiece.
Zirwas accounted for Kingsport’s only run while Riley Orr (Cleveland State JC) led the Axmen with two hits.
Danville returns to action tomorrow when it starts a two-game set against the Johnson City Doughboys at 7 p.m.
