BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — Martin County put up a fierce battle for four innings and was right there for the upset May 15 against Johnson Central in the first round of the 57th District tournament. Then the momentum swung and the Eagles staged a late bottom-of-the-fifth rally to spoil the Cardinal hope 10-3.
The No. 3 seed Cardinals held the momentum the entire game and were in control. They were hanging on to a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth with no outs and the bottom of the order up for No. 2 seed Johnson Central.
It was a win-or-go-home affair at the Paintsville High School field and Martin County fans were on the edge of their seats. The winner would earn the right to play in the tournament championship and advance to the 15th Region tournament.
Senior Greyden Proctor got the honor on the mound for the Cardinals. Proctor turned in a quality start facing just 16 batters in four innings and allowing one run on two hits and two walks.
Johnson Central broke through in the bottom of the fifth as Ethan McCarthy and Boston Crace earned walks to start the inning. Leadoff hitter Cameron Kelsey notched a single to load the bases, and Brock Butcher knocked a single, plating two runs and tying the score 3-3.
Coach Wesley Hager went to his bullpen for relief and brought in pitcher Chase Stacy. With one out, Johnson Central freshman Chase Preece, with some late-game heroics, launched one over the left field fence for a three-run dinger. When the dust settled, the Eagles had scored five runs to take a 6-3 commanding lead.
Johnson Central followed the bottom of the fifth rally with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out to a 10-3 lead.
The Cardinals lost the momentum and never regained it.
The Eagles went on for the victory to advance to the 57th District championship game.
The Cardinals finished the season with a 10-20 record.
Martin County tallied six hits. Aiden Horn had two singles. Ethan Crum, Greyden Proctor and Damien Cheek each tallied singles. Dawson Mills knocked a triple.
Mills injured his left hand in the first inning while sliding in to steal second base. He left the game briefly but returned.
Greyden Proctor gave up three runs on four hits and four walks.
Chase Preece gave up five runs on five hits and two walks.
Hunter Blevins got the start on the hill for Johnson Central. He went four innings, giving up three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out two. Dawson Montgomery finished the final three innings allowing two hits with four strikeouts.
Johnson Central had nine hits. Boston Crace tallied two hits, including a triple; Chase Preece tallied two hits, including a home run; Cameron Kelsey collected two singles; and Butcher, Crum and Ward each tallied one hit.
