Greeneville and Kingsport squared off in the opening round of the Appalachian League playoffs, with the winner earning a shot at the league championship Friday night. Both teams showcased strong pitching and timely hitting, but it was the Axmen who capitalized on a few Flyboys miscues and came away with a 5-2 victory.
The Flyboys were limited to just four hits, while the Axmen collected nine. Despite the offensive disparity, pitching and defense were key, with both teams combining to go just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 runners stranded.
Greeneville struck first in the top of the first inning. Cameron Kim, who finished 2-for-4 with a double, delivered an RBI single to score Reid Haire, who had reached on a leadoff walk.
The Flyboys extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth when Brady Francisco launched a deep drive to left-center. Kingsport’s Derrick Pitts appeared to make the catch at the wall, but as he crashed into the fence, his glove and the ball went over for a home run.
Greeneville starter Kyle Bade held Kingsport scoreless through the first four innings, but the Axmen broke through in the fifth, plating a run on a misplayed chopper. Kingsport took control in the sixth when Mason Swinney did his best Paul Bunyan rendition and chopped the momentum away from the flyboys as he ripped a two-run double to right, scoring Pitts and Paul Jones II to give the Axmen a 3-2 lead.
Bade was charged with the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings.
The Flyboys bullpen held their own, with Collin Adams and Jacob Kennedy combining to pitch the final 2 1/3 innings. They gave up two runs on two hits, walking one and striking out five.
Kingsport’s Cooper Jones started the game, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts. Jackson Downing earned the win in relief, tossing 2 1/3 innings, striking out four, and surrendering just one hit. Liam McCallum notched a strikeout for the final out in the eighth, and Payton Armour struck out two in the ninth to earn the save.
With the win, the Axmen advance to the Appalachian League Championship game Friday night at TVA Credit Union Ballpark in Johnson City. They’ll take on the Bluefield Ridge Runners, who upset the Burlington Sock Puppets 10-6. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
