Pikeville’s Tait Lakin pitched and hit the Panthers to an 11-2 win over Shelby Valley in the championship game played at East Ridge on Memorial Day.
Lakin blasted a grand-slam home run to highlight a six-run, third inning to help the Panthers improve to 19-15 and reclaim the title won by Valley (10-21) one year ago.
Pikeville steadily pulled away with big hits. Dylan Thompson doubled in a pair of runs and Wade Hensley tripled home two runs.
Sam Wright and Blake Birchfield each had an RBI single. Hunter Jones tripled.
Both teams advance to the regional tournament. The drawing will take place this Thursday to determine opponents for each of the four district winners.
At East Ridge
(Championship)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R
SV (10-21)…..000 002 0 – 2
PK (19-15)…..006 203 x – 11
Pitching:
WP – Tait Lakin
Hitting: Tait Lakin GS-HR; Dylan Thompson 2b, 2 RBI; Wade Hensley 3b, 2 RBI; Sam Wright 1b, 1 RBI; Blake Birchfield 1b, 1 RBI; Hunter Jones 3b, Pikeville.