Johnson City American denies Elizabethton

By Tim Chambers
star staff
tchambers@starhq.com

 Elizabethton's All-Stars resembled a flock of geese instead of a baseball team in Thursday night's 14-year-old Jr. Babe Ruth tournament. For seven innings 'Betsy put nothing on the board but goose eggs while committing an astounding seven errors.
  The Johnson City Americans took advantage of some costly miscues to down 'Betsy 3-0 at Elizabethton High School. Jeff Peters was brilliant on the mound for 'Betsy through the first three innings, allowing no runs and one hit.
  Chase Boyer was just as dominant, sitting down nine of ten batters through three. Elizabethton missed golden opportunities to score in the second and fourth innings.
  Nick Papantoniou doubled to start the second but was thrown out at third when a bunt attempt got botched. Jonathan Canady started the fourth with a triple, but was cut down attempting to go home on an errant throw.
  Boyer retired the next two batters to end the threat. Johnson City eeked out a run in the fourth after Josh Fabozzi walked and moved to second on an errant pickoff attempt. Fabozzi later scored on a groundout, giving the Americans a 1-0 advantage.
  Meanwhile the Elizabethton bats were quieter than a fat man with laryngitis in a dunking booth.
  Boyer allowed a leadoff single to Tyler Blevins in the fifth, but retired the next three batters. Elizabethton was denied a baserunner the rest of the contest.
  Johnson City added solo runs in the fifth and sixth innings to put the game out of reach. Four errors helped the cause.
  Boyer tossed a three-hitter to earn the win. He was aided by some outstanding defense after striking out only two batters.
  Aaron Ferrell was like steamshovel digging out several balls at first base to keep the game scoreless. Will Henry and Luke Chamboullion had the only hits for Johnson City.
  Peters gave a great effort on the mound in the loss. Blevins, Canady and Papantoniou had the only hits for Elizabethton.
  Avoca 9
  Johnson City Nationals 8
  Avoca put on a remarkable rally by scoring six runs in the last two innings to knock off Johnson City National.
  Anthony Overstreet and Zack Taylor collected singles to start the inning and later scored on a double by Billy Byrd.
  Avoca jumped out to a 3-2 lead after one when Mithias Maines led off with a triple and later scored on a single by Hunter Bushong. A walk and error helped added two more in the inning.
  After the Nationals vaulted to an 8-3 advantage, the Volunteer Parkway gang begin its comeback. Three runs in the sixth, thanks to key hits from Shane Redman, Corey White and C.L. Hill, closed the gap at 8-6.
  Zack Lindamood led off the seventh with a single, then Josh Carrier and Redman reached on a walk and fielder's choice. Another walk and error allowed the winning run to score for Avoca.
  Lindamood got the win in relief while Overstreet took the loss in relief. Maines and Hill had doubles for Avoca while Overstreet was a perfect 4 for 4 to lead the Nationals.
  Two games are slated for tonight, with Smokey Mountain taking on J.C. American at 6, then Elizabethton will battle J.C. National in the nightcap.