BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Martin County lost a two-game series to district rival Paintsville last week.
The two faced off April 25 at Cardinal Park, where the Cardinals dropped a 5-2 decision. On April 26, Martin County traveled to Paintville and fell 16-6.
The Cardinals are 2-4 in district play and are eying a three-seed for the 57th District Tournament.
Below is a recap of both games.
Paintsville at Martin County
INEZ — Just when it looked like the Cards had the Tigers on the ropes, heartbreak struck April 25 at Cardinal Stadium. The game was knotted 2-2 in the top of the seventh before Paintsville erupted to score three runs to steal a 5-2 district win.
The Tigers scored two runs in the top of the third to go up 2-0. Martin County battled back on singles by Dennison Davis, Dawson Mills and Damien Cheek to load the bases in the bottom of the third. Greyden Proctor stepped to the plate and unloaded a double to right field, bringing in two runs to even the score 2-2.
Both teams went scoreless for the next three innings bringing up the top of the seventh with the score tied 2-2.
The Cardinals gave up one hit by pitch, two walks and a double in the inning, then went three up and three down in their last at-bat.
Greyden Proctor toed the rubber and took the loss for the Cardinals. The pitcher went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits while walking four and striking out seven. Damian Cheek came in for one inning, allowing three runs on one hit while walking two.
Grayson Peters started on the mound for Paintsville Tigers, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six over three and two-thirds innings. Jonah Porter came in for relief, pitching three and one-third innings to get the win for the Tigers. Porter gave up two hits and no runs and recorded seven strikeouts.
Martin County tallied seven hits for the game. Mills went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Cardinals, while Proctor doubled and knocked in two runs, and Evan Crum, Davis and Cheek each recorded a hit.
Martin County at Paintsville
PAINTSVILLE — Martin County fell 16-6 to Paintsville in game 2 of a two-game district series April 26 at Paintsville.
Dawson Mills started the offense with a leadoff single, while Damian Cheek drew a walk in Martin County’s first at-bat. Mills advanced to third on a passed ball, then crossed the home plate on a sacrifice fly by Greyden Proctor.
It did not take long for Paintsville to regain control. The Tigers erupted for four runs in the top of the second to take the lead 4-1.
With two outs in the top of the third, the Cardinals rallied behind hits by Mills, Cheek, Proctor and Aiden Horn to score two runs that cut the deficit to 4-3.
Paintsville erupted for five runs in the bottom of the third to push the lead to 9-3, but the Cardinals were not giving up. Chase Stacy got a leadoff walk, Stephens reached base on an error, and Damian Cheek smacked a double to score three runs and close the gap to 9-6.
Paintsville answered with six runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to put the game away.
Paintsville scored 16 runs on 15 hits.
Brock Horne got the win for the Tigers on the mound. The pitcher allowed three runs on four hits while striking out five over three innings. Dixon Kincheloe came in for relief, pitching two innings and giving up three runs on two hits while striking out five.
Stacy picked up the loss for the Cardinals pitching three and one-third innings and giving up 13 runs on 15 hits while walking five. Mills pitched one inning, giving up one run on two hits.
The Cardinals scored six runs on eight hits. Mills went 2-for-3 at the plate, Cheek doubled and singled and knocked in three runs, Proctor, Evan Crum and Aiden Horn all singled and knocked one in, and Stephens singled.