PAINTSVILLE – After week-long, rain delays and even a four-hour, rain delay Saturday, Paintsville emerged with a 5-2 win over cross-town rival Johnson Central to claim the 15th Region baseball championship.
The Tigers, now 25-12, beat the Golden Eagles for the second time in post-season play, none better than this one which vaulted Paintsville into the state tournament for the first time in 28 years.
Jonathan McKenzie’s two-run homer in the fourth inning gave Paintsville the cushion needed to win. Seth Williams and Ben Daniels had RBI singles in the first inning.
Johnson Central’s first run came a solo home run off the bat of Blake Delong in the third inning. The Golden Eagles year ended at 22-15.
Matt Combs was the winner while Tate Meade took the loss.
Paintsville will face Christian County in the first round of the state tournament on Friday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark Friday.
At Paintsville
(15th Region championship)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
PV (25-12)………………..200 201 0 – 5-11-1
JC (22-15)………………..001 010 0 – 2- 5-0
Pitching:
WP – Matt Combs
LP – Tate Meade
Hitting: Seth Williams 2-1b, 1 RBI; Ben Daniels 2-1b, 1 RBI; Tanner Smith 2-1b; Jonathan McKenzie solo-HR, Paintsville; Blake Delong solo-HR; Grant Davis 2-1b, Johnson Central.
All-tournament team:
Seth Williams (MVP), Tanner Smith, Jonathan McKenzie, Matt Combs, Paintsville; Blake Delong, Ryan Sartin-Slone, Gabe Ferrel, Johnson Central; Tyler Maynard, Peyton Cyrus, Lawrence County; Christian Tackett, Nate Brown, Pikeville; Lincoln Billiter, Shelby Valley; Dylan New, Phelps; Jonathan Potter, Pike County Central; Tyler Sanders, Betsy Layne.
Paintsville…………..3
Lawrence County…2
PAINTSVILLE – Paintsville Jake Hyden raced home from second base on J.W. Phelps’ infield single and throwing error by the Lawrence County first baseman to give the Tigers a thrilling 3-2 win in the 15th Region baseball semifinals played at Johnson Central on Friday night.
The Tigers, now 23-12, advance to face cross-town rival and host Johnson Central in the finals. Lawrence County’s season ended at 31-7.
Seth Williams doubled, singled, scored and drove in one run. Starting pitcher Tanner Smith singled, walked and scored the game’s first run while Phelps added two hits.
Jarrett Fairchild doubled, walked twice and scored one run while Peyton Cyrus singled, reached on an error and scored.
Mason Moore was the winner in relief while Bryce Blevins took the loss.
At Paintsville
(15th Region semifinals)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
PV (23-12)……………….100 100 1 – 3-5-3
LC (31-7)………………….000 110 0 – 2-3-2
Pitching:
WP – Mason Moore
LP – Bryce Blevins
Hitting: Seth Williams 2b, 1b, sac, 1r, 1 RBI; Tanner Smith 1b, bb, 1r; J.W. Phelps 2-1b, Paintsville; Jarrett Fairchild 2b, 2-bb, 1r; Peyton Cyrus 1b, 1r, Lawrence County.
Johnson Central….6
Pikeville………….….0
PAINTSVILLE – Johnson Central took advantage of Pikeville’s inability to throw strikes as the Golden Eagles advanced to the 15th Region baseball championship game with a 6-0 win on Friday night.
The Panthers, who finished the season 19-12, allowed just two earned runs but were haunted by five walks, a hit batsman and two costly throwing errors.
Pikeville managed just three hits off JC starter and winner Gabe Ferrel. Brody Birchfield, Grayson Harris and Connor Wright each singled.
Ryan Sartin-Slone singled, walked and scored twice while added a sacrifice bunt. Riley Preece singled, walked, scored twice and knocked in one run as Johnson Central improved to 21-15.
Christian Tackett suffered the loss for Pikeville in coach Steve Priode’s final game after 28 seasons on the Panther bench.
At Paintsville
(15th Region semifinals)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
PK (19-12)……………….000 000 0 – 0-3-3
JC (21-15)……………..…..102 102 x – 6-5-0
Pitching:
WP – Gabe Ferrel
LP – Christian Tackett
Hitting: Brody Birchfield 1b; Grayson Harris 1b; Connor Wright 1b, Pikeville; Ryan Sartin-Slone 1b, bb, sac, 2r; Riley Preece 1b, bb, 2r, 1 RBI, Johnson Central.
