 | Jeremy Cox’s two-run homer in the sixth inning lifted Madison Central to a 4-2 win over the Yellow Jackets (25-7) on Saturday in the semifinals of the 11th Region Tournament. With the win, the Indians advanced to the region championship game for the third time in the past five years. |
 Central trailed 1-0 before scoring twice in the fifth inning. The Yellow Jackets tied the game (2-2) in the top of the sixth on an RBI groundout. That set the stage for Cox to deliver the game-changing moment. Devin Hukill walked and one batter later, Cox ripped his first home run of the season. |  |
“I felt it right off the bat,” Cox said. Cox was 0-for-2 in Central’s win over Bryan Station in the opening round of the 11th Region Tournament on Monday. He had only had one hit in his past seven plate appearances. “It was his time. He hadn’t necessarily struggled, but he just hadn’t been getting his pitches recently,” Madison Central coach Steve Roof said of Cox.
“He sat on his pitch and boy did he ever hit it.” James Goble gave up a single in the seventh, but nailed down Central’s ninth-straight victory. Devin Ecklar got the start the last time the Indians took on Woodford County — May 15 in Versailles (an 8-2 win). The Central coaching staff called on the junior right-hander again on Saturday. “You can’t go wrong with Devin,” Roof said of Ecklar. “I thought he threw the ball well. Kept his pitches down, which he always does. He pounds the strike zone. We always feel comfortable with him on the mound.”
Ecklar was solid once again. He went 4 2/3 innings and allowed four hits, one run and one walk with three strikeouts. “I have faith in the coaching staff and I have faith in our team,” Ecklar said. “I knew we would be ready for them. We just had to execute the gameplan.” Woodford County put their ace on the mound in the semifinals. Senior Hunter Hilbert led the Yellow Jackets to 3-1 win over Lexington Catholic last Tuesday. Because of the numerous delays that pushed the tournament back several days, the right-hander was able to pitch in the semifinals.
He allowed six hits, four runs and four walks with seven strikeouts.
The Indians didn’t get to Hilbert until the fifth inning. Bryce Travis reached on an error and Tyler Storie walked. After Trey Eden struck out, Logan Thomason ripped a two-run triple to center field. “Logan has been clutch all year,” Roof said.
Woodford took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning after Cox over-ran a ball in the outfield. That led to a sacrifice fly by Sam Flora. “It is what it is,” Cox said of the play. “But, we still won.” Woodford County pulled even in the sixth without the benefit of a hit. Goble pitched the final 2 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit, one run and two walks. Nathan Hutchinson 6/2/18
“He sat on his pitch and boy did he ever hit it.” James Goble gave up a single in the seventh, but nailed down Central’s ninth-straight victory. Devin Ecklar got the start the last time the Indians took on Woodford County — May 15 in Versailles (an 8-2 win). The Central coaching staff called on the junior right-hander again on Saturday. “You can’t go wrong with Devin,” Roof said of Ecklar. “I thought he threw the ball well. Kept his pitches down, which he always does. He pounds the strike zone. We always feel comfortable with him on the mound.”
Ecklar was solid once again. He went 4 2/3 innings and allowed four hits, one run and one walk with three strikeouts. “I have faith in the coaching staff and I have faith in our team,” Ecklar said. “I knew we would be ready for them. We just had to execute the gameplan.” Woodford County put their ace on the mound in the semifinals. Senior Hunter Hilbert led the Yellow Jackets to 3-1 win over Lexington Catholic last Tuesday. Because of the numerous delays that pushed the tournament back several days, the right-hander was able to pitch in the semifinals.
He allowed six hits, four runs and four walks with seven strikeouts.
The Indians didn’t get to Hilbert until the fifth inning. Bryce Travis reached on an error and Tyler Storie walked. After Trey Eden struck out, Logan Thomason ripped a two-run triple to center field. “Logan has been clutch all year,” Roof said.
Woodford took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning after Cox over-ran a ball in the outfield. That led to a sacrifice fly by Sam Flora. “It is what it is,” Cox said of the play. “But, we still won.” Woodford County pulled even in the sixth without the benefit of a hit. Goble pitched the final 2 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit, one run and two walks. Nathan Hutchinson 6/2/18