MIDDLETOWN, RI — Junyi Zhang lined a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning Friday to cap a back-and-forth thriller and lift the Middletown Varsity Islanders to a 12-11 win over Portsmouth at Gaudet.

Middletown jumped ahead 2-0 in the first and stretched the lead to 5-1 with a three-run third. Portsmouth answered with three runs in the fourth to pull within one, but the Islanders tacked on a run in each of the fourth and fifth innings to lead 7-4 through five.

The visitors tied it with a three-run top of the sixth before Middletown reclaimed the lead with three of its own in the bottom half to go up 10-7. Portsmouth then surged ahead 11-10 with four runs in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for the Islanders’ final at-bat. Middletown pushed across two in the bottom of the seventh, with Zhang’s single bringing home the winning run.

Colton Kerrison earned the win in relief and led the Middletown offense with three hits. Cam Carlisle also went 3-for-3, driving in three runs and scoring three. Zhang finished with a double, the walk-off single and two RBIs. Mike Lisella and Garrett West each added two hits, with West stealing two bases.

Evan Agren started on the mound for Middletown and worked 3 2/3 innings. Noah Travers followed with 2 1/3 innings of relief before Kerrison closed it out for the win.

For Portsmouth, Avery Amaio, Carter Doran, Tyler Doucet and Silas MacMillen each had two hits. Amaio doubled and drove in four runs, while Brady McDonald tripled and added two RBIs. Doran scored twice from the leadoff spot.

MacMillen took the loss in relief.

Photos by Justin Walker/What’sUpNewp

Justin Walker is a Newport County native who specializes in sports, portraits, weddings and events as a freelance photographer around New England. Justin has over a decade of experience starting in college covering high profile events, collegiate and professional sports in Washington, D.C. His photojournalism and freelance work can be seen in various local and national publications. Check out his work at justinlwalkerphotography.com!