Published: June 11, 2009 08:38 am      

MARK MAYNARD: High school season still going strong 6/11/09

It seems the high school season is never-ending these days. Even in the second week of June, there’s still games to be played.

This morning at 11 in Applebee’s Park in Lexington, Lawrence County will be playing Owensboro in the opening game of the State Baseball Tournament.

The Bulldogs will be sending sophomore Chandler Shepherd, who threw a shutout in last year’s state tournament opener, against Owensboro.

You may remember, Lawrence County ousted 16th Region champion Greenup County in last year’s opening and went on to reach the state finals for the first time.

Travis Feltner, an assistant on Randy Keeton’s staff last season, has the Bulldogs barking again in Applebee’s.

It’ll be interesting to watch how the week plays out.

Then later tonight, the Kentucky Senior All-Stars and Junior All-Stars will be squaring off in Sandy Hook. It will be a final farewell tour for Elliott County twin guards Ethan and Evan Faulkner, who are members of the Kentucky senior All-Stars that will take on Indiana this weekend.

Tonight’s game in Elliott County begins at 7.

On Friday comes the fourth annual Northeastern Kentucky East-West All-Star Football Game in Owingsville. Kickoff for that one is at 7:30 p.m. and plenty of just graduated seniors will be participating for the two teams.

Ashland’s Reds’ night

Ashland’s Community Night with the Cincinnati Reds is fast approaching.

The July 1 game between the Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks will have a definite local flavor.

The Reds have teamed up with the Ashland Alliance and Newstalk 800 WVHU for discount ticket prices and entertainment.

All Ashland area residents can purchase non-premimum seating for half price. Ashland native and country music artist Stephen Salyers will sing the national anthem while the Boyd County High School Navy JROTC will serve as the Honor Guard.

Select youth league baseball teams from the Ashland area will march in a pregame parade around the field.

Of course, Ashland native Brandon Webb is a member of the Diamondbacks, although he has been on the disabled list since opening day because of a shoulder strain.

Webb is throwing again, but may not be ready to pitch again for the D-backs until after the All-Star break in the second week of July.

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets can pick up a hard copy order form at the Ashland Alliance offices on Winchester Avenue.

To purchase online, visit www.reds.com/Ashland. All tickets must be purchased by June 30 to receive the discount.

For questions about Ashland Community Night, call Bart Conway at (859) 552-4524.

16th Region shines

Softball umpires from the 16th Region were assigned to work the winner’s bracket final between Owensboro Catholic and Louisville Mercy, giving the distinction of being the top-rated crew at the tournament.

Eventual champion Owensboro Catholic defeated Mercy 4-2 in the pivotal game.

Umpires on the regional crew were Paul Lewis (plate), Jerry Foster (third base) and Bob Smedley (first base).

Lewis and Kenny Clark will be working the East-West All-Star Games this weekend at the University of Kentucky.

Speaking of MSU ...

Former major league pitcher Drew Hall was the subject of a column a couple of days ago.

Hall, an Ashland native, was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1984 at Morehead State University. He went on to be drafted No. 3 overall in the ’84 MLB Amateur Draft.

Interestingly enough, Hall is one of seven players who have been named OVC Players of the Year and four of them are from northeastern Kentucky schools.

The others were Jody Hamilton (1979, Ashland), Shawn Johnson (1985, East Carter) and Lance Seasor (2005, Boyd County).

Hamilton is still MSU’s all-time home run king with 49 from 1977-80.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.