Pulaski takes opener from Danville, 7-3; Mabe gets the win

By KYLE MANALO

The Pulaski River Turtles continue their win streak with a 7-3 win over the Danville Otterbots on Friday.

The story going into the game would be the Appalachian League debut for the hometown kid, pitcher Avery Mabe. Mabe would see a warm welcome for the home crowd, with many making the drive from Wythville to come see his debut.

Yet again, the 2^nd inning would be full of runs for Pulaski, scoring three tonight. The scoring would be kicked off by a 2 RBI double from SS Romeo Ballesteros, which would bring in RF Alec DeMartino and C Konner Kinkade. LF Mike Bolton Jr. would follow that up with a sac-fly to bring in C Irvin Escobar.

In the following inning, an RBI single from first baseman Michael Groves would add on another run. Then, a sac-fly from Kinkade would bring in another run to make it 5-0 Pulaski heading into the 4^th.

In the 5^th, DeMartino would hit a bomb to the scoreboard in left-center field to make it 6-0 Pulaski.

In the 6^th, Smith would hit a ball that would then get deflected off the Danville pitcher Keller. The ball would find its way into right field, which would help bring in Bolton Jr to make it 7-0.

The shut-out bid would be spoiled in the 8^th, where Danville would score three in the top of the inning. Just like the night prior, the late-game rally would not be enough for the visiting team, as Pulaski would come out of this with the 7-3 win.

Players of the game would go to P Avery Mabe and RF Alec DeMartino. The hometown kid Mabe would go 4 innings, allowing 2 hits and no runs. He would walk just 1 batter while striking out 5. DeMartino would end the night going 2-4, with one hit being that solo shot in the 5^th.

Pulaski looks for the sweep on Saturday, with a rematch against the Danville Otterbots (5-4).