BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Martin County showed fight in a 9-9 game against Magoffin County before four extra-inning runs sent the Cardinals to a 13-9 loss. That game opened a five-game stretch that ended with losses to Pike County Central, Floyd Central, Fairview and East Carter.
Despite the skid, the Cardinals flashed offensive spark in spots, including a seven-run outing at East Carter and a late rally that forced extras against Magoffin County.
Magoffin County 13, Martin County 9 (8 innings)
Martin County showed resilience before falling in extra innings to Magoffin County 13-9 on April 21.
Trailing 9-8 in the bottom of the sixth, the Cardinals capitalized on a key small-ball moment. With runners on first and third, Gunner Broaddus laid down a bunt that brought Aidan Mann home while advancing the lead runner to second, tying the game at 9-9.
The Cardinals had a chance to take the lead, but a strikeout ended the inning.
On the mound, Caige Presley responded with back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the seventh, and a leaping grab by Dylan Hale at shortstop kept the game tied heading into the final frame.
Martin County put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh when Dylan Spence stole second but the Cardinals were unable to push across the go-ahead run.
In the eighth inning, Martin County gathered two quick outs when Presley threw a bunt-runner out at first with Hunter Moore making the scoop.
Mann eyed a pop-up in the night sky and wrangled in the catch for the second out.
Magoffin County resisted and broke through with four runs to pull away. The Cardinals were unable to respond in the bottom half.
At the plate, Mann led the way batting 1-for-2. He made his way around the horn three times, drove in a Cardinal runner and drew three walks while stealing four bases.
Presley rang up a hit with an RBI. He crossed home plate for a score. Moore went 1-for-3 with a run and two walks. He swiped a base and drew two walks. Spence added a hit and a run scored.
Hale went 1-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base. Noah Bowens added a hit and an RBI. Broaddus drove in a run, drew a walk, and rounded the bases for a score.
On the mound, Presley worked five innings, allowing five hits and six runs (four earned) with five strikeouts. Hale started and pitched three innings, allowing four hits and seven runs (six earned) while striking out seven.
Pike County Central 14, Martin County 2 (5 innings)
The Cardinals were limited offensively in a five-inning loss to Pike County Central 14-2 on April 23.
Martin County collected seven hits but struggled to string together scoring opportunities. Presley drove in a run, finishing 1-for-1. Gavin Grace scored a run and went 1-for-2.
Skyler Green, Bowens and Hale each recorded a hit, with Bowens adding a double. Mann reached base via a walk and Green rounded the bases to tack on a score.
Moore pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs (four earned) and striking out a Hawk. Green followed with 1 2/3 innings, surrendering six runs (three earned), and Tyler Stacy tossed 2/3 of an inning, allowing one run.
Floyd Central 8, Martin County 1
Martin County dropped a road contest to Floyd Central 8-1 on April 24.
Mann paced the Cardinals at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and a walk. Grace added a hit and received a walk to first. Spence and Hale each recorded a stolen base.
Mann also handled the bulk of the pitching duties, tossing five innings and allowing nine hits and eight runs (seven earned) while striking out two. Broaddus worked one inning in relief, allowing two hits and no runs.
Fairview 10, Martin County 1
The Cardinals closed the week with a 10-1 loss at Fairview on April 25.
Spence led Martin County offensively. He went 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a walk. Presley, Mann and Broaddus each added a hit, with Mann also drawing a walk. Moore drove in the Cardinals’ lone run and reached base via a walk.
Hale started on the mound. He threw for two innings and allowed three hits and four runs (two earned) while striking out three. Tyler Stacy followed with four innings. He allowed eight hits and six earned runs with two strikeouts.
East Carter 17, Martin County 7
The Cardinals put seven on the scoreboard but could not stop the Raiders on the other side of the ball in a 17-7 loss on the road April 27 at East Carter.
Bowens led the way at the plate with 2-for-3 and smacked a double with two RBIs. Moore batted .500, scored twice and drew a walk. Mann crossed the plate twice.
Broaddus added a hit, scored a run and drove in another. Dylan Hale contributed a hit with two RBIs. Spence went 1-for-3 and scored a run. Presley drove in a run. Grace also recorded a hit.
Moore pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and 11 runs (three earned) while striking out two. Skyler Green followed with two innings, giving up five hits and six runs (three earned) with three strikeouts.
Martin County was scheduled to play Johnson Central, April 28. The Cardinals travel for a rematch with the Golden Eagles, April 30 before returning home May 1 to host the East Ridge Warriors. Next week, Martin County is set to host home games May 4 against Floyd Central and May 5 against Lawrence County.