Kentucky Dodgers, Coal Cats, Diamond Divas crowned Cal Ripken champs

Kentucky Dodgers, the 2026 Martin County Cal Ripken champions: Trey Schmidt, Lyric Howell, Tyler Allen, Aiden Allen, Elijah Endicott, Hunter Bowen, Eli Adkins, Kingslee Copley, Jayden Newsome, Kaiden Bertling and Kasyn Blair. (Courtesy photo)

BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PRESTONSBURG — The Martin County Cal Ripken League wrapped up its postseason tournament last week, crowning champions in Cal Ripken baseball, Coach Pitch baseball and softball.

The Kentucky Dodgers captured the Cal Ripken championship, defeating the Reds 7-6 in a thrilling title game June 5. The Coal Cats claimed the Coach Pitch championship over the Reds, while the Diamond Divas defeated the Red Foxes to win the softball title.

Diamond Divas, the 2026 Martin County softball champions: (From left) Assistant coach Mandy Dials, Alicemae Gilkey, Ebony Arrowood, Lydia Perry, Kaylee Runyon, River Linley, coach Dustin Dials, (bottom) Isabella Mills, Aubrey Maynard, Hope Dials, Ava Harmon and Gabby Mann.(Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)

Statistics were unavailable for the Coach Pitch and softball championship games.

Coal Cats, the 2026 Martin County Coach Pitch champions: (From left, top row) Larry Delong, Brian Fletcher, Bear Delong, Chris Fletcher, Derek Mollette, Brady Porter, (middle row) Hatch Mollette, Willie Porter, Hunter Marcum, Blake Jude, Brilynn Marcum, Kallie Fletcher, Izaiah McGinnis, (bottom row) Jesse Fletcher, Winston Muncy, Blue Fletcher and Emali Ratliff. (Courtesy photo)

Smack Daddies 11, Reds 4

Reds, the 2026 Martin County Cal Ripken runner-up: (From left, bottom) Christian Davis, Easton Smith, Finn Osborne, Finn Goforth, Nolan Horn, Kolten Maynard, (center row) Bash Stacy, Jesse Cole Maynard, Kayden McCoy, Jayce McCoy, (top row) assistant coach Josh Stacy, head coach Brian Davis and assistant coach Kyle Horn. Not pictured: Ashton Haney and Izaiah Shrum. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)

MC 12U Smack Daddies opened tournament play June 1 with an 11-4 victory over Reds.

Parker Stafford led the Smack Daddies, going 3-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored. Hank Reed finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Caleb Bowens went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Waylon Porter added two hits and scored three runs.

Luke Howell and Ezra Bowens each scored twice, and Brantley Marcum added an RBI.

Stafford earned the win on the mound, striking out eight over three innings. Marcum struck out five in two innings of relief.

For the Reds, Kayden McCoy went 2-for-2 with a triple, an RBI, two runs scored and three stolen bases. Jayce McCoy finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Finn Osborne crossed the plate once.

Reds bounce back against Phillies

2026 Martin County Cal Ripken Phillies: Andrew Burke, Kace Fitch, Axel Jude, Colin Chapman, Charlie Burke, Kash Jude, Wesley Gilkey, Dash Vanhoose, Brian Burke, Max Smith and Buddy Jude. Not pictured: Kash Howell and Eli Litton. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)

Facing elimination, the Reds responded with a 14-1 victory over the MC Phillies, June 2.

Christian Davis powered the offense, going 2-for-2 with a triple, four RBIs and three runs scored. Jayce McCoy added two hits, including a triple, while scoring twice and driving in two runs.

Kayden McCoy contributed a hit, an RBI and a run scored. Nolan Horn scored twice and drove in a run. Jesse Cole Maynard scored twice and added an RBI, while Finn Osborne, Finn Goforth and Kolten Maynard also scored.

Kayden McCoy earned the win, allowing one run on four hits while striking out nine over four innings.

For the Phillies, Charlie Burke went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Colin Chapman collected two hits and scored the team’s lone run. Axel Jude led the defense with five putouts.

Dodgers roll past Orioles

The Kentucky Dodgers opened tournament play June 2 with a 16-5 victory over the Orioles.

Lyric Howell led the attack, going 2-for-3 with an inside-the-park home run, a double, four RBIs and two runs scored. Tyler Allen added two hits, two RBIs and a run scored.

Kaiden Bertling scored twice, drove in a run and stole four bases. Ayden Allen scored twice, while Kingslee Copley scored twice and swiped four bases. Elijah Endicott scored twice, Trey Schmidt added an RBI, Hunter Bowen drove in a run, and Eli Adkins and Jayden Newsome each recorded two RBIs.

The Dodgers drew 14 walks, stole 10 bases and did not commit an error.

For the Orioles, Jeremiah Vanhoose collected two hits and scored twice. Rocco Maynard doubled, drove in two runs and scored once. Jace Vanhoose added an RBI, while Greyson Maynard and Parker Fletcher each scored a run.

Reds eliminate Orioles

2026 Martin County Cal Ripken Orioles: (From left, bottom row) Greyson Maynard, Jon Hinkle, Cruz Cline, Weston Muncy, Parker Fletcher, Mason Mollette, (top row) head coach Tommy Vanhoose, Jeremiah Vanhoose, Landon Parsley, Jace Vanhoose, Rocco Maynard, Brantley Messer and assistant coach Kenny Maynard. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)

The Reds stayed alive June 3 with an 8-4 victory over the Orioles.

Jayce McCoy dominated on the mound, striking out 12 batters while allowing three hits and three runs over four innings. Kayden McCoy added four strikeouts in relief.

At the plate, Jayce McCoy went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Kayden McCoy finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Christian Davis added a hit, an RBI and a run scored.

Easton Smith scored twice, Finn Osborne scored twice, Jesse Cole Maynard scored once and Nolan Horn added a run and an RBI.

Orioles player Jon Hinkle chases down Dodger Lyric Howell for a tagout in tournament play last week in Inez. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)

For the Orioles, Jeremiah Vanhoose and Rocco Maynard each collected two hits and scored twice. Maynard doubled and drove in a run, while Jon Hinkle added an RBI. The Orioles turned a double play defensively.

Dodgers edge Smack Daddies

The Dodgers advanced to the championship game June 3 with a 5-4 victory over the Smack Daddies.

The game was tied entering the fifth inning before Kentucky pushed across the winning run on a steal of home.

Lyric Howell struck out 10 batters over four innings, while Kaiden Bertling tossed two scoreless innings of relief and struck out five.

Bertling doubled, drove in a run and scored twice. Howell scored twice and stole home. Kingslee Copley added a hit and a run scored.

For the Smack Daddies, Caleb Bowens doubled and drove in a run. Brantley Marcum added an RBI single. Parker Stafford scored twice, while Ezra Bowens and Waylon Porter each added hits. The Smack Daddies finished with four hits and played error-free defense.

2026 Martin County Cal Ripken Smack Daddies: Caleb Bowen, Waylon Porter, Hank Reed, Ezra Bowen, Ian Greene, Luke Howell, Uriah Ray, Brantley Marcum, Parker Stafford and coaches Shane Stafford, Eddie Lee Howell, Jesse Reed. Not pictured: Brady Porter. (Courtesy photo)

Reds gain revenge, reach title game

The Reds earned a rematch with the Dodgers by defeating the Smack Daddies 13-8, June 4.

Jayce McCoy led the way, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs scored. Christian Davis added two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored, while Kayden McCoy went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

Nolan Horn crossed the plate three times. Easton Smith, Finn Osborne, Jesse Cole Maynard and Kolten Maynard also scored during the victory.

The Smack Daddies totaled 11 hits in the loss. Parker Stafford had two hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Ezra Bowens doubled, tripled and scored twice. Caleb Bowens finished with two hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Waylon Porter went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Hank Reed collected two hits and drove in two runs. Brantley Marcum added an RBI and Luke Howell scored once.

Reds second baseman Jastin Marcum tags Coal Cat Hatch Mollette June 2 in Inez. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)

Dodgers rally for championship

The championship game featured the tournament’s most dramatic finish.

The Reds built a 6-4 lead entering the bottom of the fifth inning before the Dodgers rallied for three runs and a 7-6 victory.

The Reds scored first when Finn Goforth drew a bases-loaded walk. Jayce McCoy later delivered a two-run double to help Reds CR build a 3-1 lead.

Kentucky answered in the third inning when Kaiden Bertling doubled home two runs and Trey Schmidt drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Reds regained the lead in the fourth behind an RBI single from Jayce McCoy and two runs that scored on an error.

Trailing by two runs in the fifth, the Dodgers loaded the bases before Ayden Allen delivered a game-winning three-run single.

Allen finished with three RBIs. Bertling doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice. Lyric Howell added a hit, an RBI and three runs scored. Tyler Allen scored once.

Howell struck out eight batters over three innings, and Bertling closed the game with nine strikeouts in relief.

For the Reds, Jayce McCoy went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs. Christian Davis added two hits and two runs scored. Kayden McCoy doubled and scored once. Easton Smith and Nolan Horn also scored for the Reds.

Orioles catcher Landon Parsley tags Eli Adkins after he was caught in a pickle between home and third in tournament play June 2 at Frank Horn Field. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
Reds, the 2026 Martin County Coach Pitch runner-up: (From left) Jaxson May, Braxton Slone, Memphis Reed, Drake Evans, Jastin Marcum, Wyatt Howell, Asher Oconner, Jace Howell, Jaxston Moore, Grayson Hinkle, Lachlan Collins, Hadilynn Endicott, Kinsley Johnson (top row) coaches Ryan Howell and Steven Howell. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
2026 Martin County Coach Pitch Banana Bombers: (From left, bottom) Bella Hinkle, Eli Moore, Harper Damron, Jamison Mollette, Korban Hall, Jace Sizemore, Lucian Harris, Cash Stepp, Jackson Todd, (top) coaches Bruce Mollette, Kenneth Todd and Jordan Stepp. Not pictured: Greyson Wynne and Lincoln Simpkins. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
2026 Martin County Coach Pitch Neon Heat: Gracie Whitt 35, Heavenly Hinkle 3, Barron Horn 4, Levi Workman 6, Mia Johnson, Ridge Delong 7, Hazley Stacy 8, Cole Spence 9, Hensley Reed 11, Lucy Gilkey 19, Aubree Marcum 21, Rhett Goble 25, Emmalynn Smith 41. (Courtesy photo)
Banana Bomber Jackson Todd connects for a hit in the Martin County Cal Ripken Coach Pitch tournament June 2. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
Red Foxes, the 2026 Martin County softball runner-up: (From left, top) Coach Dorothy Parks, Kentley Marcum, Harper Howell, Bella Fletcher, Lylyann Endicott, Chad Parks (assistant coach), (bottom) Hadley Spence, Michaela Marcum, Gracelyn Marcum, LoriAnna Parks and Rylie Parks. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
2026 Martin County softball Vipers: Coach Jayla Dials, Arielle Jude, Carlyon Dalton, Brystol Dillon, Sarah McCoy, Layla Cline, Julianna Horn, coach Bailey Dials, coach Aaron Moore, (bottom row) Jasmine Hamilton, Cali Stacy, Lakyn Sarver and Lilly Davis. Not Pictured: Isabella Branham. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
Red Fox Lylyann Endicott (12) eyes Viper Brystol Dillon (25) down with Sarah McCoy (10) waiting on a throw in Cal Ripken play in Inez. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
Aubrey Maynard waits for a signal from Diamond Diva coach Dustin Dials while running down the first base line during the Cal Ripken tournament in Martin County. (Citizen photo by Brittni McCoy)
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