BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Martin County High School baseball went 2-4 over a demanding six-game spring break stretch March 30-April 4, showing progress against a tough schedule.
The Cardinals dropped back-to-back games to Boyd County, beat Tug Valley, then fell to Russell and Lewis County before closing the week with a comeback win over Estill County.
Boyd County 16, Martin County 1
Martin County was limited to four hits in a shortened contest, falling to Boyd County 16-1 at home March 30 in four innings.
Aidan Mann (1-for-1), Gunner Broaddus (1-for-2) and Knox Maynard (1-for-2) accounted for the Cardinals’ hits. Brayden Hammond scored the lone run. The Cardinals drew three walks and struck out eight times.
On the mound, Broaddus pitched three innings, allowing eight runs (four earned) on six hits with one strikeout. Dylan Hale worked one inning in relief, surrendering seven runs (four earned) and striking out a batter.
Boyd County 4, Martin County 1
The Cardinals responded with a much stronger showing, collecting five hits in a 4-1 loss to Boyd County on the road March 31.
Hunter Moore led the offense, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a .667 on the night. Mann recorded a hit and drove in a runner. Presley gathered a hit. Knox Maynard stole a base, had a hit, and scored the only run for the Cards.
Tyler Stacy delivered a complete-game effort, pitching six innings while allowing four runs (one earned) on nine hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
Martin County 9, Tug Valley 7
The Cardinals broke through with a 9-7 win over Tug Valley behind aggressive baserunning and timely hitting April 1 at Cardinal Stadium.
Martin County recorded eight hits and drew three walks. The Cards went 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts.
Mann went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four stolen bases. Dylan Spence hit 2-for-3 and crossed home plate twice. Hammond went a perfect 2-for-2 and was hit by a pitch for a free walk to first.
Noah Bowens drove in three runs on a 2-for-4 day. Maynard, Broaddus and Skyler Green each added an RBI. Maynard, Presley, Moore and Hale each made their way around the horn for a score.
On the mound, Mann started with two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Green pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed five runs, two earned. He sent three batters to the dugout. Maynard pitched two innings and allowed two earned runs. He threw four strikeouts. Spence closed with 2/3 of an inning to earn the save.
Russell 5, Martin County 2
Martin County managed only three hits in a 5-2 loss to Russell at home April 3.
Presley recorded a hit and crossed home plate for a run. Maynard rang out a hit and Bowens drove in two Cardinal runners on a hit.
On the mound, Broaddus pitched one inning (one run allowed). Moore threw six innings, allowing four runs on six hits with three strikeouts.
Lewis County 10, Martin County 8
Martin County totaled 30 at-bats, eight runs, 11 hits and four walks in a 10-8 loss to Lewis County on the road April 4.
Maynard led the way 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs. He also hit a double. Mann smacked a double and triple-bagger and tacked on two runs for the Cards. Moore banged out two hits, had an RBI, made his way home twice, and drew a walk.
Presley reached base four times, going 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Bowens went 2-for-3 with a double and sent three Cardinals home.
Mann pitched 3 1/3 innings (five runs, four earned, two strikeouts) and took the loss. Stacy provided two innings of relief, allowing one run.
Martin County 6, Estill County 5
Martin County closed the stretch with a comeback win over Estill County 6-5 at Lewis County, April 4, scoring three runs in the sixth inning.
The Cardinals collected 10 hits in 30 at-bats. Mann led the offense again, going 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs. He made his way around for a score. Presley added two hits and an RBI. Spence finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored.
Gavin Grace contributed a hit, drove in a teammate for a score, and tacked on a run himself. Hammond traveled home for two runs.
From the dirt pile, Presley earned the win. He pitched five innings and allowed no earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts. Maynard pitched two innings, allowed three earned runs and five runs scored, and struck out a batter.