BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County baseball clobbered Betsy Layne 19-11 this week but dropped two to Pikeville and East Carter. The following is a recap of last week’s action:
MC vs Betsy Layne – The Martin County Cardinals exploded for 21 hits Saturday to defeat the Betsy Layne Bobcats 19-11 in a high-scoring affair.
Crayson Lafferty was a stud for the Cardinals, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate. He singled in the first and third innings. Lafferty doubled twice, once in the third and again in the decisive five-run fifth inning. The Cardinal drove in three of Martin County’s runs in his slugfest.
Betsy Layne jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first. A hit batter drove in the first run, followed by an error that allowed two more to score.
The Cardinals quickly responded in the bottom of the first plating four runs. Damian Cheek singled to drive in two. Hunter Moore and Ryan Stephens each added a run with sacrifice flies.
Martin County took control of the game in the bottom of the third, scoring eight runs on ten hits to surge ahead 12-4. Stephens delivered the big blow with a single that brought in two runners.
The Cards added five more runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead. Lafferty’s second double of the day scored two, followed by singles from Moore and Stephens that each drove in a run. Eli Mills also contributed with a sacrifice bunt that brought another runner home.
Stephens earned the win for Martin County in relief, pitching three innings and allowing two runs on two hits. He struck out three and walked three.
Knox Maynard started for the Cardinals. He hurled two innings and gave up only three runs on one hit.
Stephens led the Cardinals with five RBIs, going 3-for-3 on the day.
Moore ripped three hits and helped five of his teammates walk in the door at home.
Chase Stacy went 3-for-4 at the plate and drove in a runner.
Aiden Horn, Blake Lemaster, and Cheek rang up two hits. Cheek also had two RBIs on the day.
Dylan Hale slapped a hit and had one RBI.
MC at Pikeville – The Cards traveled to Pikeville to take on the Panthers on April 7 in the All ‘A’ Classic. Thirteen runs in the second inning spelled doom and Martin County fell 18-1.
Crayson Lafferty was the lone hit for the Cards when he slapped a grounder to left field for a single.
The multi-sport athlete was part of a double-play to close out the third inning. Chase Stacy collected a hit at shortstop and dumped off to Lafferty at second. He turned the play to Ryan Stephens at first for the third out.
Aiden Horn flew into home in the bottom of the third after making his way around the bases for the Cardinal score.
MC vs East Carter – The bats were cold for the Cards in Saturday’s game versus East Carter.
Ryan Stephens collected a hit in the air and went 1-for-2 at the plate.
Aidan Mann scurried into home after a pitch escaped into the backstop for the only Cardinal run.
Martin County will host Paintsville tonight at 6 p.m. Phelps comes to town tomorrow and Fairview will round out the week on Friday with a 6 p.m. game time.
The Cards were scheduled to travel to Paintsville last night. Details weren’t available at the press deadline.
