Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr (Gulf Coast State College) hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom half to give the East the victory over the West.
Princeton's Woody Hadeen (UC Irvine) was named the All-Star Game MVP. Hadeen finished 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored, one walk and four stolen bases. Hadeen scored the winning run on Johnson Jr's walk-off single.
Chopoff!@RJJOHNSON_ walks it off for the East in the @VisitAlamanceNC @AppyLeague All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/bphotXSUzF
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 27, 2022
The East scored twice in the bottom of the first, Pulaski's Ryland Zaborowski (Miami OH) hit an RBI single and came around to score on a wild pitch. In the third, Johnson City's Roberto Peña (Kansas State) hit a solo home run to get the West on the board. In the fourth, Hadeen hit a two-run home run to extend the East's lead to 4-1. One inning later, Bluefield's Ryley Preece (Morehead State) scored on an error to put the East up 5-1.
The West started their comeback in the seventh when Elizabethton's Avery Owusu-Asiedu (SIU Edwardsville) hit an RBI single. In the eighth, Elizabethton's Peyton Basler's (Charleston Southern) RBI groundout pulled the West within two.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth, Daniels hit a game-tying two-run single to extend the night. Hadeen walked leading off the bottom half, then stole second and third. Johnson Jr's RBI infield single scored Hadeen to give the East a 6-5 victory.
.@_brock_2. MORE CLUTCH THAN A 97 MUSTANG! We are tied! #WeStayFly pic.twitter.com/WCA8sWY8cy
— Greeneville Flyboys (@GFlyBoys) July 27, 2022
Princeton's Rece Parker (Rogers State) earned the win in relief, Kingsport's Matthew Cornelius (Pima Community College) took the loss.
Daniels finished the night 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI, one run and one stolen base. Zaborowski finished 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run. On the mound, Greeneville's Riley Taylor (Oklahoma State) struck out the side in a perfect third inning. Greeneville's Jack Liberio Jr (RCSJ - Cumberland) and Bluefield's Andrew Dye (Limestone University) both needed just seven pitches to retire the side in order. Burlington's Peter Gallo (Saint Joseph's) and Danville's Tanner Smith (Presbyterian) both struck out two in one perfect inning of work.
The 2022 Appalachian League season continues Wednesday night. Johnson City will play a doubleheader in Kingsport beginning at 5:30 p.m. Elizabethton travels to Bluefield with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Princeton at Bristol, Burlington at Danville and Pulaski at Greeneville are all scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Bluefield Ridge Runners announce 2023 coaching staff
The Bluefield Ridge Runners have announced their on-field coaches for the 2023 Appalachian League season. Hitting coach Jerry Greeley, returning pitching coach Garrett Schilling and fourth coach Chris Allen will round out the experienced staff set to serve under Ridge Runners manager and former Major League skipper John McLaren. “On
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Ridge Runners bring McLaren aboard as 2023 manager
The Bluefield Ridge Runners announced that former Major League skipper John McLaren will manage the team in 2023. McLaren began his professional career in the Appalachian League with the then-member club of Covington, Va. He played seven seasons in the Minor Leagues, reaching the Triple-A level, after being selected by
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Bluefield Ridge Runners announced as recipient of Lee Landers Community Service Award
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that the Bluefield Ridge Runners have been named the recipient of the 2022 Lee Landers Community Service Award. The Lee Landers Community Service Award is presented to the club that demonstrates an outstanding, ongoing commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within
Redden named Appalachian League Humanitarian of the Year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Parker Redden (Delaware) was named the Humanitarian of the Year. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
Feltner awarded Appalachian League Player of the Year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) was named the Player of the Year. Feltner hit .347 with eight home runs and 38 RBI in 50 games played for Bluefield this season. The Ridge Runners first baseman went 67-for-193 with nine doubles, 44
McCrystal, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League monthly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Burlington's Ryan McCrystal (East Carolina) and Bluefield's Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of July, respectively. McCrystal hit .410 with three home runs and 31 RBI in 22 July games for the Burlington Sock
Petersen, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced today that Kingsport's Sam Petersen (Iowa) and Bluefield's Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 25-31, respectively. Petersen hit .438 (7-for-16) with one home run and seven RBI in four games played for the
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to
McGeary, Wohlgemuth earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Haydn McGeary (Kentucky) and Nate Wohlgemuth (Rogers State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 11-17, respectively. McGeary hit .591 (13-for-22) with five extra-base hits and six RBI in six games played for the Bluefield Ridge
Feltner, Cooper claim Appalachian League monthly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) and Burlington's Trey Cooper (NC State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Month of June, respectively. Feltner hit .372 with four home runs and 22 RBI in 24 games played for the Bluefield Ridge
Feltner, Taylor earn Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Bluefield's Jackson Feltner (Morehead State) and Greeneville's Riley Taylor (Oklahoma State) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of June 13-19, respectively. Feltner hit .458 (11-for-24) with two home runs, two doubles, and 11 RBI in six games played
Former Ridge Runners outfielder named Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist
CARY, N.C. - USA Baseball announced that former Bluefield Ridge Runners outfielder Kendal Ewell is a semifinalist for the 2022 Golden Spikes Award. The Golden Spikes Award honors the top amateur baseball player in the country. Kendal Ewell, a sophomore outfielder at Eastern Kentucky University, played in 45 games for
Appalachian League introduces new extra-innings format
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the addition of a "sudden death" extra-innings rule and the return of seven-inning games on Sundays. EXTRA INNINGS: Similar to the Frontier League and MLB Draft League, the Appalachian League will implement a "sudden death" extra-innings format. During the plate meeting prior
Ridge Runners announce Mike Weatherford as hitting coach
The Bluefield Ridge Runners are pleased to announce that Mike Weatherford of Denton, Texas, has been named as the hitting coach for the 2022 season. Weatherford spent his collegiate days at Oklahoma. Weatherford joins the Ridge Runners staff for his first season in Bluefield. Weatherford spent the 2021 season with