BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Martin County picked up a dramatic 10-9 Senior Night win over Morgan County on May 7, then closed the week by pushing Paintsville to nine innings before falling 3-2 on the road. The Cardinals also dropped a 6-1 decision to Lawrence County during the stretch.
Below is a recap of the action.
Cards 10, Cougars 9
The Cardinals picked up an exciting 10-9 win in a back-and-forth battle against Morgan County at home May 7.
Seniors Aidan Mann, Hunter Moore and Dylan Spence were honored before the game alongside foreign exchange student Sebastian Genovese.
Martin County jumped ahead 3-0 in the bottom of the first inning. Mann drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the game’s first run.
Morgan County answered with three runs in the second inning to tie the contest. But Martin County reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning when Mann lined an RBI single to make it 4-3.
The Cougars tied the game again in the fourth inning before the Cardinals pushed ahead 6-4 after a Morgan County error and a sacrifice fly from Gunner Broaddus plated runs.
Morgan County again answered in the fifth inning, tying the game at 6-6 before the home squad delivered its biggest offensive frame of the night.
Tyler Stacy singled home a run before Noah Bowens ripped a two-run double into the gap. Mann followed with another RBI single as the Cardinals erupted for four runs to take a 10-6 advantage.
Morgan County rallied late with three runs over the final two innings, but Moore shut the door in relief to preserve the Senior Night win.
Mann led Martin County offensively by going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk. Bowens finished 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a walk. Gavin Grace scored twice and added a hit. Dylan Hale doubled, walked and scored once.
Stacy went 1-for-1 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored. Moore walked and stole a base and Spence scored twice after being hit by a pitch.
The Cardinals totaled seven hits and five walks while taking advantage of seven Morgan County errors.
Mann earned the win on the mound after pitching five innings, allowing six runs (five earned) while striking out three. Moore collected the save with two innings of relief work, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out one.
Bulldogs 6, Cards 1
Martin County collected eight hits but could not overcome an early deficit, falling to Lawrence County 6-1 at home May 5.
Grace and Bowens each finished with two hits. Mann busted out a triple and an RBI. Hale hit a double-bagger. Caige Presley and Broaddus each added a hit.
Spence drew a walk and scored the Cardinals’ lone run.
Stacy pitched a complete game, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out one batter across seven innings.
Tigers 3, Cards 2
Martin County closed the week Saturday by taking Paintsville into extra innings before falling 3-2 in nine innings at Paintsville.
Bowens continued his strong week at the plate by going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Mann added a double and an RBI. Grace finished with a hit and scored one of the Cardinals’ two runs.
Broaddus and Hale each recorded a hit. Brayden Hammond added a stolen base as a courtesy runner and Presley drew a walk.
Presley turned in a strong performance despite taking the loss. He pitched all nine innings, allowing three runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out two batters.
Martin County was on the road for a rematch with Morgan County May 11. The Cards will close out the regular season Friday at Hazard before the 57th District tournament begins next week.