BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County edged Shelby Valley 6-5 in the opening round of the 15th Region All-A Classic. The game took place April 9 at Cardinal Field in Inez.
The game was tied at five in the bottom of the seventh when senior Brock Messer singled, driving home the winning run.
The Cardinals scored two runs in the first inning behind a single by Hunter Moore and a wild pitch. Aiden Horn tripled, and Hunter Moore and Ryan Stephens singled.
Martin County scored again in the fourth. Horn walked, Messer singled, and Damien Cheek hit into a fielder’s choice. Horn crossed the home plate on a wild pitch to put the Cardinals up 3-0.
Shelby Valley got on the board with one run in the top of the fifth.
Martin County scored again in the fifth to stretch the lead to 4-1.
Shelby Valley rallied to score three runs and tie the game 4-4 in the sixth inning. The Wildcats took the lead in the seventh 5-4.
Coach TC Maynard’s squad regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh. The Cards scored on a Shelby Valley error and a single by Messer. Moore led off with a single, followed by Aiden Mann reaching base on a walk and Eli Mills reaching on an error. Moore scored on an error to tie the game 5-5. Horn drew a walk and advanced to third on an error. Messer stepped up and belted a line drive to the right field to bring Horn home for the win.
“Our team stayed focused and kept our composure after losing momentum late in the game,” Coach Maynard said. “We went into the bottom of the seventh down a run, but knowing we were still going to win the game. Beating a solid team like Shelby Valley in a hard-fought game proves that we have the talent and mentality to compete with anyone in the region.”
Cheek picked up the win for the Cardinals. He allowed one hit and one run over one inning, striking out three and walking one. Chase Stacy started the game for Martin County, allowing six hits and four runs over six innings, striking out five and walking four.
Lincoln Taylor took the loss for the Wildcats.
Horn collected a double and triple for Martin County. Moore added two singles and drove in one run, Messer singled and drove in one, and Stephens and Mann each singled.
The Cardinals (8-1) will take on Paintsville (9-6) in the semifinals at 6:30 Monday (April 15) at Betsy Layne High School.
“We feel confident going into the game against Paintsville and believe we will be advancing to the finals of the All-A regional championship,” said Coach Maynard.