By AARON SNYDER -- The Independent
CANNONSBURG
Sat, May 17 2008
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In 14 innings of baseball, Boyd County could only muster five runs and 10 hits in losses to Southwestern and Scott County on Saturday in the Town Square Bank Spring Classic at Boyd County’s Larry Addington Field.
Southwestern handed the Lions (11-12) a 9-2 loss in the day’s first matchup and then Scott County gave the Lions a 10-3 defeat.
“It was the type of day where we couldn’t do anything without tripping over our own feet,” said Boyd County coach Ben Maynard. “We didn’t come out ready to play. If you don’t come out ready to play against quality clubs, they’re going to take it to you.”
Southwestern (13-7) put Boyd County in a hole early. After getting one run in the first inning, the Warriors strung together three straight hits, including a triple from Austin Roush, to jumpstart a three-run second inning.
Lions’ starter Tyler Arthur lasted only three innings after giving up four runs on seven hits. Kyle Pauley and Travis Hanshaw each took a turn on the mound as well, but Southwestern took advantage of every mistake.
“(Southwestern) was able to hit a lot of 2-0 fastballs today,” Maynard said. “They did a good job of taking care of our miscues. When our pitchers fell behind in the count, hitters drove the ball into the gap.”
Tyler Mayer went 2-for-4, drove in three runs and scored three runs for the Warriors while T.T. Wooldridge lined out three hits and had two RBIs.
Warriors pitcher Isaac Claywell pitched six innings and gave up just one earned run. He also had a good day at the plate with three hits and two RBIs.
Boyd County’s offense plated one run in the second and one more in the sixth.
“We could not string enough together at one time,” Maynard said. “With (four hits), you’re not going to win too many games.”
Boyd County freshman Brad Cornwell drove in Chase Wiler in the second inning with an opposite field single to left field. Wiler drove in the second run.
“Brad’s been able to step in and be the starting catcher,” Maynard said. “He’s getting a lot of varsity at bats and is learning to go the opposite way with the outside fastball. If he grows and develops, he’s going to turn into a real good player.”
Boyd County would need much more of that in the second piece of the doubleheader. The Lions had already lost to Scott County once this season, a 3-1 defeat in Cocoa Beach, Fla., in late March.
Boyd County stayed within striking distance for most of the game, but Scott County put it out of reach with a six-run sixth inning.
In relief of Lions ace Logan Helms, Jacob Plummer had no trouble in the fifth inning, but ran into control problems in the sixth.
Plummer walked three straight batters after the first two Cardinals had already reached base in the inning.
Travis Hanshaw took over, but Scott County’s Luke Wright answered with a two-run single to right field. The Cardinals took a 10-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
“I can’t think of a whole lot that we did well today,” Maynard said.
Helms allowed the first four Cardinals (13-7) to reach base, but got out of the first inning allowing only one run.
However, he gave up two more in the second inning and lasted just four innings.
Pitching was not the only problem for the Lions though. They could not get a run across the plate until the fifth inning.
Jared Spicer singled and then scored on Bret Moore’s groundout. Chase Pettit and Plummer accounted for the other two Lions’ runs.
Josh Hannabach pitched a complete game for Scott County. He allowed three runs and struck out six batters.
“(Hannabach) is a tough guy to hit,” Maynard said. “He threw a lot of strikes and mixed in a sharp slider. It kind of kept our guys off balance. We couldn’t get very comfortable in the box.”
Although the Lions could not get a victory on Saturday, they did get a win against Sheldon Clark on Friday to open the tournament.
According to Maynard, they will have to put these losses behind them as quickly as possible.
“That’s the great thing about baseball. When you have a bad day, you get to play again real soon. We play six games this coming week, so we can make up for it.”
Boyd County will face Rowan County, East Carter and Ashland before hosting the Derby Classic next weekend.
SOUTHWESTERN 130 040 1 — 9 13 3
BOYD COUNTY 010 001 0 — 2 4 1
Claywell and Jones; Arthur, Pauley (4), Hanshaw (6) and Alcorn. W—Claywell. L—Arthur. 2B—Southwestern, Claywell 2, Wooldridge. 3B—Southwestern, Roush.
SCOTT COUNTY 120 106 0 — 10 10 2
BOYD COUNTY 000 012 0 — 3 6 3
Hannabach and Wright; Helms, Plummer (5), Hanshaw (6) and Cornwell. W—Hannabach. L—Helms.
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