Early Deficit Proves to be Insurmountable in 8-7 Rockabillys Loss

JACKSON, Tenn. - Bases loaded opportunities twice in the eighth and ninth put the pressure on the opposition, but the execution wasn't there and the Goats dropped their first contest to the Dubois County Bombers Tuesday night. 

Dubois got off to a hot start, with their sizzling bats cooking starter Ethan Ell to the tune of six earned runs on five hits. Reliever Lawson Ryan then steadied the ship in his four innings of work, but the damage was already done. 

The climb truly began for the 'Billys in the seventh, with Jackson trailing 8-1. A trio of walks, along with a single from Drake Blackwood ushered in a run that started the momentous turnaround. This lead to another walk scoring a run, an error forcing across two, and a Cade Miles single drawing the Rockabillys back within one. 

Elijah Dunbar and Nathan Rhodes both ran into some trouble in their respective innings on the bump, yet the pair didn't falter, and the final frame approached with the Goats still trailing by a singular run. 

McKay Whitaker took advantage of the second Dubois error to reach scoring position, setting the tying run just 180 feet away from home. Yet, the Rockabillys shot themselves in the foot when Whitaker tried to time up pitcher Jake Stuteville, and was caught attempting to swipe third.

The determined Rockabillys continued to battle though, and managed to reload the bases on a pair of walks and a single from Jack Runsick, who was making his 2025 debut. With two outs, and bases loaded for a second straight inning, Jake Maddox got caught looking for the final out, sealing the Goats' fate.

Cooking With the Wrong Recipe

The Rockabillys now sit at 4-3 on the season, but have missed some big opportunities to improve their record. In last nights action, bases were left loaded in consecutive innings, and 14 total baserunners were stranded. Along with that, the Rockabillys have only possessed one lead in any game this season before the seventh inning. 

Goats Notes: The Goats seek a more complete outing tonight versus Dubois County at Rockabillys Stadium at 7:00 p.m., where it will be Strike Out Cancer Awareness Night.