VIDEO: Danville holds off Elizabethton late for a win in Appy League action

Danville (18–14) entered the bottom of the sixth inning on the wrong end of a 4–3 scoreline. The Otterbots put together a rally, plating a pair of runs on Caleb Ricks’ RBI bases-loaded, hit-by-pitch and Davis Perkins’ RBI sacrifice fly to center field that gave the ‘Bots a 5–4 edge…

PHOTO: Brian Cendejas.

DANVILLE, Va. — The Danville Otterbots put together a mid-game rally and held off a late-inning attempt from the Elizabethton River Riders for a 7–6 win over the River Riders in Appalachian League action on American Legion Post 325 Field at Dan Daniel Park Tuesday night.

Danville (18–14) entered the bottom of the sixth inning on the wrong end of a 4–3 scoreline. The Otterbots put together a rally, plating a pair of runs on Caleb Ricks’ RBI bases-loaded, hit-by-pitch and Davis Perkins’ RBI sacrifice fly to center field that gave the ‘Bots a 5–4 edge.

The Otterbots found a bit of insurance in the bottom of the seven, bringing home a pair of runs courtesy of a balk and a throwing error on Maximo Martinez’s ground ball to third for a 7–4 lead.

Elizabethton (17–16) nearly put together a rally in the top of the eighth, pulling within 7–6 on Cole Pladson and Brady Richardson’s RBI bases-loaded walk. Danville’s bullpen took it from there as Jase Phillips (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville) induced back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat and keep the Otterbots in front.

[embed]The Danville Otterbots’ Davis Perkins (left) and Caleb Ricks (right) caught up with River City Sports following the Otterbots’ win in Appy League action Tuesday night. VIDEO: Davin Wilson/River City Sports.

Phillips retired the side in the ninth to pick up the save.

Elizabethton started the scoring in the top of the first, plating a pair of runs on Austin Rose’s RBI single and Mikey Vanderheyden’s RBI fielder’s choice for a 2–0 lead. Danville didn’t waste any time countering, scoring three runs in its first at-bat for the lead. Devon Wilkes (Cal State Bakersfield) got the Otterbots on the board with his RBI single to right and Brody Jindra knotted the score when he came home on a throwing error on Wilkes’ steal of second. Jordan Jacob (Pittsburgh) gave the ‘Bots a 3–2 lead with his run-scoring double to right.

The River Riders knotted the score at 3–3 on Richardson’s RBI groundout in the top of the second. Elizabethton edged in front in the top of the fourth on Pladson’s run-scoring single to center.

Perkins (Tyler JC), Wilkes, Martinez (Southern California), Jacob and Ricks (Notre Dame) recorded an RBI apiece for Danville.

Matthew Kelley (Carolina) picked up the win on the bump, throwing an inning of one-hit, shutout relief. Phillips earned his first save of the season.

Pladson (Oklahoma State) and Richardson (Troy) led Elizabethton with a pair of RBI while Rose (Ohio State) drove in a run as well.

Danville returns to action tonight when it hosts Elizabethton at 7 p.m. at Dan Daniel Park.