The Bluefield Ridge Runners are now just a loss away or a Burlington Sock Puppets win away from being officially eliminated from playoff contention after falling to the Greeneville Flyboys, 11-5, on Thursday night.
The Ridge Runners (20-20) are now four games back of the Sock Puppets (26-18) with four games remaining in the season after the Flyboys (20-22) split the series.
The Ridge Runners scored the game’s first run in the second inning on an RBI hit by Riley Orr. Greeneville followed up with 10 unanswered runs to take a commanding lead after the seventh inning.
Aden Hill had an excellent game for Greeneville offensively and went 4-for-6 with two runs, two RBIs, and three doubles.
Tyler Cerny had a hit and an RBI to extend his on-base streak to 26 games, which is every game that he has played in for the Flyboys this summer. That mark is the longest on-base streak in the Appalachian League this season. Cerny also now has a 10-game hitting streak.
Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit for Greeneville as the team had 16 total knocks. Jack Mosh, Nick Barone, and Johnny Pilla all had multi-hit games.
On the mound, Drew Sliwinski (1-3) started and got the win for Greeneville. Andrew Hendrickx (1-2) took the loss for the Ridge Runners. Jayden Martin and Daniel Eagen pitched the final four innings for the Flyboys.
Up next, Greeneville will start its final home series on Friday at 7 p.m. against the Princeton WhistlePigs (17-24).
