By ROCKY STANLEY — The Independent
Ashland
Fri, May 16 2008
—
For many high school baseball teams, playing without three regulars against an 8-2 opponent might be too much to overcome.
Not Greenup County.
An Elite Eight team in Kentucky a year ago, the Musketeers banged out 15 hits and got help from Ashland’s defense for a 13-5 victory Wednesday night at Alumni Field.
Greenup County was missing left fielder Juan Staten, second baseman Zac Stringfellow and third baseman Justin Chaffins due to injuries and sickness.
“That’s three .400 hitters,’’ said Musketeers coach Greg Logan.
But Zach Smith, Tyler Peveto and Kyle Martin filled in nicely as Greenup County scored in double figures for the seventh time this season.
“Our bench, we worked them hard in all the drills,’’ said Billy Logan, the Musketeers’ standout catcher who also boosted the team with a rare appearance on the mound. “You never know what’s going to happen. We had some people out of the lineup and these guys stepped up and showed what they can do.’’
Smith, a first-year player with the Musketeers, singled twice, walked, hit a sacrifice fly and scored three runs.
“Zach’s on-base percentage for the year ranks right there at the top on our team,’’ Greg Logan said.
Peveto singled, drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and made a nice defensive play in the third inning, spearing a hard one-hopper off the bat of Ashland’s Josh Miller to get an out. Martin, who batted in the No. 9 spot, reached safely in his first at bat as Greenup County took a 4-0 lead in the second inning.
Leadoff man Eric Craft collected three singles and scored three times for the Musketeers. Zach Reed moved from clean-up to second in the lineup and finished with two singles and a walk.
Billy Logan, James Madden and Tyler Hineman also supplied two hits apiece.
Craft, Reed and Logan opened the game with consecutive singles as Greenup County quickly plated three runs. The Musketeers went on to build an 11-1 lead.
“There’s not much you can say,’’ offered Ashland coach Jeff Wilcox. “Greenup County is the best team we have played since Owensboro Apollo (on April 1), and they are ranked in the top five.’’
Ashland, losing for only the third time in 11 games, had some defensive lapses early and went on to finish with six errors. Third baseman Trey Keaton was out due to an injury.
“We had some people playing out of position, but Greenup County put the ball in play and ran the bases well,’’ Wilcox said. “Playing against the best team in the area, you would think we would come out more fired up. I’m disappointed, but I like the way we showed a little spark after they had us down by 10.’’
The Tomcats scored four runs in fifth inning off Greenup County sophomore starter Ethan Hardin, who did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. Nick Jackson, who has been swinging a hot bat, and Alex Bonnette capped Ashland’s uprising with back-to-back doubles to make it 11-5.
However, Billy Logan came on to defuse the rally with 2 2-3 innings of hitless relief. Logan struck out five batters in only his second varsity pitching outing.
“It’s different from catching,’’ he said. “It’s a different kind of adrenaline rush. I like being out there. I was working my fastball and changeup and tried to work ahead of the hitters.’’
Greenup County (12-4) travels to Boyd County today, while Ashland has a doubleheader at West Carter.
GREENUP COUNTY 312 050 2 — 13 15 4
ASHLAND 000 140 0 — 5 5 6
Hardin, Logan (5) and Logan, Rice (5), Madden (5); Johnson, Slone (5) and Duvall. W — Hardin. L — Johnson. 2B — Jackson (A), Bonnette (A). 3B — Logan (GC).
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