Astros split doubleheader with Sox

Bristol, VA - The Greeneville Astros (27-14) and Bristol Sox (12-30) split their doubleheader of two seven inning games on Friday night in Bristol following Thursday's rainout. Even with the split, the Astros remain in first place in the Appalachian League West Division while the Sox are currently in the fifth spot. 

In game one, the Sox rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to overcome a 3-1 deficit. Mark Haddow doubled to lead off the inning for Bristol and later scored on a Nolan Earley RBI single. Then, with two outs and two runners on base, Zach Stoner hit a three-run homer to put the Sox on top for good, 5-3.

Bristol actually led the game early on with a Toby Thomas RBI single in the first inning, but the Astros had worked their way up to a 3-1 lead before Bristol's rally. In the second inning, the Astros got a RBI double from Thomas Lindauer to tie the game. Then, they took their first lead in the third inning when Chase McDonald connected on a RBI double as well. Finally, just before Bristol's four-run outburst, the Astros added one more run in the top of the sixth inning when McDonald scored from second base after Bristol's shortstop made a throwing error when Ariel Ovando grounded into a force out to get Brian Holberton at second base.

The winning pitcher for the Sox was reliever Henry Mabee (W, 1-0). He pitched during the sixth inning and gave up no hits, but had one earned run after walking two. Alex Powers (S, 2) closed the game after pitching a hitless seventh inning and picked up a save.

In game two, Bristol once again took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Mark Haddow RBI single. Then, the Astros evened the game at 1-1 in the third inning when Thomas Lindauer hit a sacrifice fly to score Alfredo Gonzalez from third.

The game remained tied at 1-1 through the sixth inning. Then, the Astros strung four consecutive hits together in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead. Angel Ibanez and Ariel Ovando had back-to-back singles before Alfredo Gonzalez connected on a RBI double for his third hit of the night to give the Astros a 2-1 lead. Finally, Parker Hipp followed with a two-run single to give the Astros some insurance runs and a 4-1 lead.

Astros' closer Gonzalo Sanudo entered in the seventh inning and got the first batter to fly out before striking out the final two batters to earn his eighth save of the season. Prior to Sanudo's appearance, left-handed starter Christopher Lee (W, 2-1) pitched the first six innings and gave up two hits, one earned run and struck out seven batters as he earned the win.

The Astros will face the Sox in game three at Bristol on Saturday. For more information on the Greeneville Astros, please visit www.greenevilleastros.com or call (423) 638-0411.