Two outs from being the victims of a perfect game, #8 Madison Central rallied to send the game into extra innings.
The rally was short-lived as #15 Woodford County managed to score the game-winner in the eighth inning, beating Central 3-2 Tuesday night in the semifinals of the 11th Region Tournament at Tates Creek High School. Central finishes the season 29-10. “I thought our guys battled all the way through eight innings,” Central coach Steve Roof said. “I was proud of our guys in the seventh to fight through and extend the game. In the end we had our chances, but we just got beat by a good ball club and a good pitcher.” Through seven innings, Central pitchers Julian Speaks and Trey Gross allowed five hits — all infield singles. Woodford County got its first hit out of the infield in the eighth when No. 9 batter Gage Beavers hit a long double to left field. The next batter, Rodney Gross put down a sacrifice bunt. Central went for the out at third, but the runner was safe, putting runners at the corners with no outs. After Gross struck out a batter, the Indians intentionally walked a batter to load the bases to create a force at every base. Chris Ares never even had to swing the bat, as a low pitch got away from catcher Jimmy Wright and the winning run raced home. Woodford County pitcher Logan Parrett retired the first 19 batters he faced, mowing Central down through 6 1/3 innings. With one out in the top of the seventh, Central finally got a hit when Cole Metcalfe ripped a single to left field. When no one covered second base, Metcalfe raced into second. Wright drew a walk, putting the tying run on first in the form of pinch-runner Kirkland Humphrey. Ben Fisher singled home Metcalfe, with Humphrey going to third on the play. Humphrey scored on a groundout by Logan Hunt. Central wouldn’t have been able to tie the game 2-2 if it weren’t for a stellar play to end the bottom of the sixth inning. Woodford County had a runner at third with one out. The batter hit a grounder to Jeremy Lakes at third, who gunned the ball to Fisher at first for the out. When the runner from third took off for home., Fisher fired a strike to Wright at the plate to nab the runner. Gross set Woodford County down in order in the bottom half of the seventh inning. In the top of the eighth, Lakes walked and Thomas Crump was hit by a pitch, but Central couldn’t get the runners home. The Indians never got another chance to bat, as Woodford County won the game in the bottom half of the inning. Woodford County, which scored two runs in the first inning on a throwing error, advances to tonight’s championship against Bryan Station. Tim Mandell, Richmond Register (5/30/12)
2012 Seniors - Thomas Crump, Trey Gross, Logan Hunt, Dusty Ridner, Cole Metcalfe, Julian Speaks
2012 Seniors - Thomas Crump, Trey Gross, Logan Hunt, Dusty Ridner, Cole Metcalfe, Julian Speaks