Otterbots run past Kingsport in Appy League action
The Danville Otterbots scored early and often in their win over the Kingsport Axmen in Appalachian League action Thursday night …
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Danville Otterbots scored early and often in a 13–3 win over the Kingsport Axmen in Appalachian League action Thursday night.
Danville (20–11) came up big in the top of the fifth inning, scoring five runs to break open a close game. Cole Johnson (Oklahoma State) started things off with his two-run single to right field and Micah Dean (Kansas State) scored on a wild pitch to give the Otterbots a six-run advantage. Jacob Smith (Central Alabama CC) pushed the lead to seven with his ground-rule double that plated Johnson and Jackson Tyer (Delaware) capped the big frame with his RBI sacrifice flyout to right that made it a 9–1 game.
The big frame came off a solid top of the fourth that saw the ‘Bots push two across. Johnson brought in the first run with his RBI sacrifice fly to center and Tanner McCammon (Elon) gave Danville a 4–1 lead with his single through the left side that scored Jacob Smith.
It was the ‘Bots that delivered the first blow with a run in the top of the first when former Chatham standout Carrington Aaron scored on a wild pitch to give Danville a 1–0 lead.
Kingsport (15–16) didn’t let the Otterbots hold the momentum long, tying the game in the bottom of the first on Mason Swinney’s solo home run.
After a scoreless second, Danville struck for a run in the top of the third. Jacob Smith smacked a one-out single to get the rally going and McCammon and Tyer followed with back-to-back walks that loaded the bases. Two batters later, Jaxon Goldberg (UCF) brought the go-ahead run in on his base knock through the left side for a 2–1 edge.
Swinney struck again for the Sock Puppets, bringing Tyree Jackson (Hudson Valley CC) around with his ground out to second to pull Burlington within 9–2.
The Otterbots kept their sticks moving with a run in the top of the seventh. Alex Conover (Cowley CC) got things going with a one-out single and Tyer picked up a base the hard way, getting hit by a pitch. Andrew Marcello (Canisius) scored Conover moments later with a single to left that gave the ‘Bots a 10–2 cushion heading into the final two-and-a-half innings.
Burlington got on the board again in the bottom of the eighth when Cal Sefcik smacked a solo home run that trimmed its deficit to 10–3 entering the final frame.
As it did all evening, Danville had a counter, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth. Tyer scored on a wild pitch and Aaron followed with an RBI single to right that made it a nine-run game. Addison Smith pushed the lead to 13–3 with his base knock to center that plated Goldberg.
Shawn Scott (Tennessee) got the win on the bump, throwing an inning of hitless, shutout relief while striking out two. Mason Brady (Spartanburg Methodist JC) was effective in relief, striking out six while throwing two innings of one-hit, shutout ball.
Johnson led Danville with three RBI while Aaron, Addison Smith, Jacob Smith, McCammon, Tyer, Marcello and Goldberg drove in a run apiece. Jacob Smith smacked a game-high three hits.
Swinney led Kingsport with a pair of RBI.
Danville returns to action tomorrow when it caps its two-game set at Kingsport at 7 p.m.
