BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Martin County endured a difficult stretch last week, dropping five games in six days.
The Cardinals fell to Paintsville at home April 14 before road losses to Pike County Central, Knott County Central, Lawrence County and Magoffin County from April 17-20.
The Cardinals opened the week with a 10-3 loss to Paintsville on April 14 in Inez.
Martin County collected seven hits in the loss led by Dylan Spence and Gunner Broaddus, who each went 2-for-3. Spence scored a run and Broaddus also walked once and made his way home.
Caige Presley finished with a double and an RBI. Hunter Moore collected a hit and two RBIs. Aidan Mann added a hit to the boxscore.
On the mound, Mann pitched four innings, allowing seven hits and eight runs, one of them earned, while striking out two. Skyler Green followed with three innings, giving up two runs on two hits and walking one.
The Cardinals then dropped a 7-2 decision at Pike County Central on April 17.
Presley again led Martin County at the plate with two hits while Mann doubled and Noah Bowens went 1-for-2.
Gavin Grace drove in a run. Tyler Stacy scored once and Brayden Hammond stole a base.
Dylan Hale turned in a strong start. He pitched four innings and allowed just two hits with no earned runs while striking out three and walking none.
Green threw two innings in relief. He allowed four hits and five earned runs while striking out two and walking three.
Martin County returned to action April 18 and fell 11-1 in six innings at Knott County Central.
Mann accounted for the Cardinals’ lone run when he launched a solo home run over the outfield fence. Presley, Hale and Stacy each added a hit. Spence doubled.
Broaddus pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed two hits and one earned run.
Stacy worked five innings and surrendered 14 hits and 10 runs, five of them earned.
Later that same day, the Cardinals dropped an 11-1 decision to Lawrence County in six innings at Knott County Central.
Broaddus scored Martin County’s only run and drew a walk. Presley also walked. Moore went 1-for-2. Mann added a hit and an RBI.
Presley pitched 3-1/3 innings and allowed eight hits and six earned runs while striking out one.
Moore threw two innings in relief and gave up one hit and five runs.
Martin County closed the stretch April 20 with a 13-3 loss at Magoffin County in a 57th District matchup.
Presley delivered the Cardinals’ top offensive performance of the week. He went 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, an RBI and a run.
Broaddus scored twice and drew a walk. Moore went 1-for-1 and also walked.
Green pitched 3-2/3 innings, allowing four hits and four runs, three of them earned, and striking out four.
Mann worked two innings in relief. He gave up eight hits and nine runs, one of them earned, and struck out three.
Martin County was scheduled to face Magoffin County again April 21 in another 57th District matchup. The upcoming week sees the Cardinals returning to action Thursday at home against Pike County Central before traveling to Floyd Central on Friday for a 6 p.m. first pitch. Martin County will face Fairview at noon Saturday at Ashland Central Park before hitting the road again April 27 for a 6:30 p.m. game at East Carter. The stretch wraps up April 28 when the Cardinals host Johnson Central at 6 p.m.