BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County soared to two wins in week 2 of the 2024 baseball season. The Cardinals defeated Pike County Central 9-3 in a home game March 19 and Phelps 17-7 in a contest Thursday at Cardinal Field.
The two wins stretch Martin County’s streak to three straight victories.
Below is a recap of the action:
MC vs. PCC
Martin County scored five runs in the sixth inning to soar over the Pike County Central Hawks 9-3 at Cardinal Field March 19.
This would be the second meeting of the two this season. The Cardinals had defeated the Hawks 10-6 on the road March 13.
The Hawks got on the board in the top of the first. Martin County’s Ryan Stephens singled in the bottom of the first to tie the score 1-1.
Cheek doubled and scored three runs in the bottom of the second to put the Cardinals up 4-1.
The Hawks rallied in the third inning for two runs to narrow the gap to 4-3.
Neither team managed to score in the fourth or fifth innings.
The Cardinals put the game on ice in the sixth. Damian Cheek was hit by a pitch and drove in a run. Hunter Moore and Evan Mills both drew walks and scored runs, while Dylan Hale singled and scored two runs.
With their backs against the wall, the Pike Central Hawks had nothing left. The Cardinals completed the sweep.
Aiden Horn earned the win for Martin County. The starting pitcher surrendered two hits and three runs (two earned) over three innings, striking out one and walking four. Chase Stacy pitched three innings, giving up one hit, one walk and no runs, striking out two. Freshman Knox Maynard pitched one inning, allowing one hit and no runs, striking out one and walking none.
The Cardinals team stats included nine runs on seven hits with nine walks while leaving 10 on base.
Pike Central scored three runs on four hits, with five walks and four strikeouts, leaving seven runners on base.
Ryan Stephens rapped two singles and drove in one run, Aiden Horn had two singles, Skyler Morrison had a single and one RBI, Damien Cheek recorded a double and drove in three runs, and Dylan Hale added a single and drove in two runs.
MC vs. PHS
Martin County continued the win streak Thursday, mercy-ruling the Phelps Hornets 17-7. Eli Mills collected four hits in five at-bats, with singles in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Phelps got on the board with a run in the top of the second. Martin County scored seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the second to take a 7-1 lead. Senior Brock Messer helped the Cardinals’ cause with a double that drove in two runs.
The Cardinals added three runs in the third. Damian Cheek hit into a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the third inning and Aiden Mann singled, each scoring one run.
The Cardinals maintain the momentum, scoring two in the fourth, one in the fifth and four in the sixth.
Evan Mills toed the mound for the Cardinals, giving up one run on two hits and recording one walk and two strikeouts in four innings. Chase Stacy, Knox Maynard and Tyler Stacy all came in for relief.
Eli Mills emerged as the driving force behind the Cardinals, driving in three RBIs to go with his four singles. Brock Messer had a double and single and drove in two runs. Hunter Moore and Chase Stacy each recorded two singles and two RBIs. Damien Cheek had a hit and drove two in, and Aiden Mann contributed a single and an RBI.
Martin County scored 17 runs on 12 hits, aided by eight walks, and recorded nine strikeouts. The Cardinals committed six errors and left nine on base.
Phelps scored seven runs on eight hits, drawing three walks and two strikeouts.
The Cardinals move to 3-0 on the season and will play Menifee County in a doubleheader Saturday on the road.
