BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County finally broke through Friday night.
Aidan Mann delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Cardinals to an 11-10 win over East Ridge, snapping a 15-game losing streak in dramatic fashion at home.
The Cardinals (15 hits) matched East Ridge (16 hits) in a back-and-forth contest that featured multiple lead changes and clutch moments down the stretch.
With the game tied at 10 in the ninth, Gavin Grace sparked the rally with a line-drive single to center field. After advancing into scoring position, Grace came home on Mann’s walk-off hit to right field, sealing the comeback victory.
East Ridge struck first, capitalizing on a Cardinal error in the second inning. Martin County answered in the bottom half when Grace lined an RBI single down the left field line to tie the game at 1-1.
The Warriors regained the lead in the third behind RBI doubles from Jacolbi Gibson and Mason Hamilton.
The Cardinals responded with a three-run frame. An error, a Gunner Broaddus walk, a Hale groundout and Spence’s RBI double pushed Martin County ahead 4-3.
East Ridge surged again in the sixth, plating four runs to take a 7-4 advantage. Bowens answered for the Cardinals with an RBI single on an 0-2 count to even the score at 7.
The teams continued to trade blows. East Ridge moved back in front 8-7 in the seventh on a sacrifice fly, but Spence tied the game again in the bottom half with an RBI fielder’s choice.
After the Warriors extended their lead to 10-8 in the eighth, Martin County mounted another rally. The Cardinals took advantage of a defensive miscue to cut the deficit to one before Hale worked a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 10-10. Courtesy runner Brayden Hammond crossed the plate on the play as Martin County forced extra innings.
The Cardinals stayed aggressive on the bases during the rally, with Tyler Stacy swiping second to help apply pressure and set up the tying sequence.
Martin County’s defense then delivered in a pivotal moment in the top of the ninth. The Cardinals turned a pair of fielder’s choices and recorded a groundout to strand runners and keep the game tied, setting the stage for the walk-off.
Martin County totaled 15 hits and seven RBIs while drawing five walks and swiping seven bases in the win. Grace led the way, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored, a triple and an RBI. He also swiped a base.
Mann finished 3-for-6 with a run scored and the walk-off RBI. Hale went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and rounded the bases for a score. He snuck in a stolen base.
Broaddus was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, drove in a Cardinal runner, and stole a base. Noah Bowens smacked two hits with an RBI. Spence finished by ringing up a double and an RBI. He stole a base for the Cards.
Hunter Moore scored twice and recorded a hit in the box. He also drew a walk. Tyler Stacy had a hit and made his way into home and had one stolen base. Brayden Hammond swiped two bases for the red and white.
On the mound, Mann started and worked five innings. He allowed seven hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out two. Moore earned the win in relief. He gave up only three runs on six hits over three innings with one strikeout. Tyler Stacy tossed an inning and allowed three hits, four runs and struck out a Warrior.
Floyd Central 10, Martin County 7
A tough first inning proved too much for Martin County to overcome Monday night.
Floyd Central erupted for seven runs in the opening frame and held on for a 10-7 win over the Cardinals in Inez on May 4.
Despite the early deficit, Martin County chipped away at the lead and outscored Floyd Central 7-3 over the final six innings.
The Cardinals finished with six hits and took advantage of nine walks to generate offense.
Mann led Martin County at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and a double. Bowens smacked a double. Presley reached base twice with a hit and a walk. He rounded the bases for a score.
Moore touched home twice and collected a hit. Broaddus finished 1-for-3 with a team-high two RBIs. Grace drove in two runs, and Hale added an RBI.
Spence provided a spark on the basepaths, scoring twice and drawing four walks.
Martin County got on the board with four runs in the bottom of the first inning to cut into Floyd Central’s early lead. The Cardinals added two more runs in the fifth and another in the seventh, but could not complete the comeback.
On the mound, Presley took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits in one inning of work. Hale provided steady relief, pitching five innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out three. Green closed the game with a scoreless inning, striking out one.
Johnson Central vs Martin County
Martin County endured a pair of tough outings against Johnson Central, falling 9-0 on April 28 and 8-0 on April 29. The Cardinals were limited offensively across both games, managing just one hit in the first meeting, a single by Mann, and three hits in the rematch, with Presley and Green each recording hits.
On the mound, Presley gave Martin County a solid start in the first game, allowing six runs (one earned) over five innings. Mann worked two innings in relief.
In the second matchup, Hale logged five innings, allowing five runs while striking out two, and Broaddus added an inning of relief.
Martin County was scheduled to play Lawrence County May 5. The Cards will host Morgan County May 7 before traveling to Paintsville on May 9 and Powell County on May 11.