KINGSPORT — After losing a series to first-place Burlington a couple of weeks ago, the Axmen were on a mission early to open the Sock Puppets’ return trip to Hunter Wright Stadium.
Kingsport jumped on the Sock Puppets to win 15-5.
The Axmen (12-10) grabbed an early lead by scratching across the first run of the night. Kam Durnin hit an RBI single in the bottom of first to plate Collin Larson.
Their lead didn’t last long, though, as Burlington (13-10) answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Orlando Fernandez drove home a run on a triple and later scored on a Bromley Thorton RBI single.
It was there where Kingsport’s offense erupted, posting seven runs. They did so on eight hits, a walk, and a hit batter. The first seven batters of the inning for the Axmen reached safely.
The biggest blows in the frame were two-run hits by Blake Primrose (double) and Derrick Pitts (single).
They continued to tack on, getting an RBI single from Mason Swinney in the fourth and a three-run homer by Durnin in the fifth. The shortstop’s blast down the left field line left the bat just shy of 105 miles per hour.
Burlington scored three in the top of the seventh to try and climb back into the game. Caiden Combs roped a double to drive in two runs before Thornton had another run-scoring hit.
However, it was as close as the Sock Puppets would get.
The Axmen put up three runs in the bottom of the seventh before recording an out to secure a run-rule win. Kingsport drew six straight walks, with two of them scoring a run. Sandwiched between them was a run-scoring passed ball.
Durnin had a monster night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and five RBI. Tyler Myatt, Ben Tryon, and Swinney added two hits a piece for the Kingsport offense.
Up Next
The two teams will play the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday.