Pulaski slows Bluefield’s roll with two mercy rule victories

Appalachian LeagueStaff Report

Bluefield’s Ridge Runners rolled into Pulaski Tuesday on a high. They were in first place in the Appalachian League’s Eastern Division and two of their players had just been named Players of the Week.

Then the wheels came off at the hands of the Pulaski River Turtles’ hot bats.

The River Turtles preceded to lay the wood to the Ridge Runners in two straight games – 15-5 Tuesday and 12-0 Wednesday – in two games that ended early due to the mercy rule.

In Tuesday’s win, shortstop Noah Toole – a Radford University player – had four hits to lead Pulaski. He added two runs and knocked in three RBI.

Designated Hitter Tre Bryant added three hits, two runs and four RBI on the night. Outfielder Sebastian Norman had two hits, two runs and an RBI in the winning effort.

Matty Helms got his first win of the season in relief.

Pulaski jumped out ahead in the bottom of the first with a big six-run explosion. They added five more in the fourth and two in the eighth to put out any hopes for the Ridge Runners to rally.

With the win, the River Turtles evened their record at 5-5, while Bluefield dropped to 6-4.

On Wednesday, Pulaski hammered 13 hits – including two home runs – and stole four bases, while holding Bluefield to just four hits on the night in another mercy rule 12-0 victory.

Pulaski was led by Sebastian Norman’s 3 for 4 night which included a home run, walk, 3 RBI, 3 runs and a stolen base.

Radford University’s Eli Hudgins went 2 for 3 with a triple, walk, two stolen bases and three runs while knocking in two.

Aubrey Kearns went 3 for 5 hitting a home run, a double, scoring two runs and knocking in another.

Zachary Moss got the win for Pulaski going three innings of two-hit ball.

Pulaski jumped out ahead in the top of the first in Bluefield with three runs. They added two more in the third, three more in the fifth and four more in the six. The game was called after seven innings.

The two teams return home Thursday for the final game of the three-game set.

Pulaski and Bluefield now are tied for third in the East with 6-5 records – a half-game back of Danville and Burlington (6-4).

After Bluefield, the River Turtles enterain Elizabethton for a three-game series Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Gametime Friday and Saturday are 7 p.m. and Sunday is 5:30 p.m.

Elizabethton currently is in a three-way tie for first in the Western Division with Greeneville and Johnson City. All three are 5-6 on the season.

Kingsport is in fourth at 4-7.