Johnson Central completed its run through the 15th Region tournament with a 4-1 win over Lawrence County to punch their ticket to the state tournament in a game played at Belfry’s Massey Energy Field on Saturday night.
Cole Ward belted a two-run homer to fuel a four-run, second inning, putting the Golden Eagles ahead for good.
Brock Butcher doubled and singled and batted in one run while Brayden Shepherd singled and scored.
Hunter Blevins was the winning pitcher. Conner Lemaster came on in relief to close it out.
Brayden Maynard singled home Will Lafferty, who had walked, for the lone Lawrence County run.
Blue Fletcher was tagged with the loss.
At Goody
(15th Region tournament championship)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
JC (16-21)…040 000 0 – 4-5-1
LC (28-8)…100 000 0 – 1-3-0
Pitching:
WP – Hunter Blevins
LP – Blue Fletcher
Hitting: Cole Ward 2r-HR; Brock Butcher 2b, 1b, 1 RBI; Brayden Shepherd 1b, 1r, Johnson Central; Brayden Maynard 1b, 1 RBI; Will Lafferty bb, 1r; Mason Preston 3-bb, Lawrence County.
Johnson Central….11
Prestonsburg………..6
Johnson Central erupted for six runs in the bottom of the second inning and the Golden Eagles went on to eliminate Prestonsburg, 11-6, in the 15th Region tournament semifinals played Saturday afternoon.
Conner Lemaster had three hits, including a double, drove in three runs and scored. Matt Crum singled twice and doubled, scored a pair of runs and added a pair of RBIs.
Gavin Crum singled in two runs and scored while Cole Ward doubled, singled, walked, and scored three times. Bryce Spencer doubled in two runs.
Cameron Kelsey was the winning pitcher.
Jon Little hit a solo home run, singled twice, and scored two runs in the loss. Nic Kidd doubled and knocked in three runs.
Payton Burke singled in one run and scored while Wes Salisbury singled and scored.
Matt Welch was the losing pitcher.
At Goody
(15th Region tournament)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
PB (17-14)……001 020 3 – 6- 6-3
JC (15-21)…….061 022 x – 11-11-1
Pitching:
WP – Cameron Kelsey
LP – Matt Welch
Hitting: Jon Little solo-HR, 2-1b, 2r; Nic Kidd 2b, 3 RBI; Payton Burke 1b, 1r, 1 RBI; Wes Salisbury 1b, 1r, Prestonsburg; Conner Lemaster 2b, 2-1b, 1r, 3 RBI; Matt Crum 2b, 2-1b, 2r, 2 RBI; Gavin Crum 1b, 1r, 2 RBI; Cole Ward 2b, 1b, bb, 3r; Bryce Spencer 2b, 2 RBI, Johnson Central.
Lawrence County……3
Paintsville……………..1
Lawrence County snapped a scoreless game with three runs in the top of the sixth inning and the Bulldogs went on to reach the 15th Region tournament semifinals with a 3-1 win over Paintsville on Saturday.
Dylan Whitt singled in a pair of runs and Jake Derifield added an RBI single and scored. Mason Preston walked twice and scored one run. Abner Collinsworth reached base and scored.
Luke Patton was the winning pitcher.
Ashton Miller singled home the lone Paintsville run. Gunner Collins singled and scored.
Conner Fugate was tagged with the loss.
At Goody
(15th Region tournament)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
LC (28-7)…..000 003 0 – 3-4-0
PV (23-14)…000 000 1 – 1-4-1
Pitching:
WP – Luke Patton
LP – Conner Fugate
Hitting: Dylan Whitt 1b 2 RBI; Jake Derifield 1b, bb, 1 RBI; Mason Preston 2-bb, 1r; Abner Collinsworth 1r, Lawrence County; Ashton Miller 1b, 1 RBI; Gunner Collins 1b 1r, Paintsville.