By AARON SNYDER - The Independent
CANNONSBURG
Sat, May 17 2008
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Boyd County’s Derby Classic kicked off with a Friday night dogfight. The Lawrence County Bulldogs (16-5) outlasted the Clark County Cardinals, 6-5, but it came down to the final inning at Larry Addington Field at Boyd County High School.
The rain became a factor in the sixth inning, when it delayed the game for about 50 minutes.
Lawrence County already had two men on base in the bottom of the sixth and when play resumed, both Jeff Cyrus and Tim Hayes crossed the plate on a two-run double off of Jordan Miller’s bat to tie the game at 5-5.
Bulldogs right fielder Nick Hackney stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded with no one out in the bottom of the seventh. Previously 0-for-3 on the night, he grounded a pitch sharply to the right side of left-handed pitcher Blake Jackson, who could not make the play at home plate in time.
“We felt like we were going to win the ball game right there,” said Lawrence County assistant coach Travis Feltner, who took over coaching duties for head coach Randy Keaton. Keaton encountered some heart problems and had to sit out the game. He should return for today’s action.
“With the infield and outfield drawn in, your chances are pretty good,” Feltner said. “It’s huge to get off to a good start in a tournament like this.”
The Bulldogs did not get off to such a hot start in the game. Jeff Cyrus, the leadoff hitter, singled, but was caught in a rundown between second and third base later in the first inning.
However, Lawrence County recovered in the second when Cyrus tripled in two runs to give the Bulldogs an early 2-0 lead.
Clark County (16-5) fought back to take a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning behind the bat of Jordan Barker. Barker hit a solo home run in the fourth and then singled in two more runs in the fifth inning.
According to Cardinals coach Larry Allison, Barker is batting .500 on the season and has nine home runs.
The Cardinals scored four runs in the fifth.
“Against a good ball club like that, you have to put them away early,” Feltner said. “We didn’t. They had their big inning and we knew we were in for a fight.”
Lawrence County had to battle back, but Cyrus rose up to the challenge. He relieved starting pitcher Lewis Michael, who pitched five innings and gave up five runs, four of them earned.
Cyrus retired the side in order in the sixth and, despite the rain delay, returned in the seventh to do the same thing. He retired all six batters he faced.
“Cyrus has been lights out all year,” Feltner said. “He came in and did an excellent job. Our pitching has really carried us all year.”
Lawrence County pitching has not allowed an opponent to score more than seven runs in a single game all season.
The rain delay might have negatively affected the Cardinals, according to Allison.
“The rain probably did take away some momentum,” Allison said. “But (starting pitcher Robert Bell) threw 96 pitches, so it was about time to bring in somebody else anyway.”
Jackson was the victim of Lawrence County’s comeback and was saddled with the loss.
Each team will play two games today in the tournament, in which each coach is happy to take part.
“It’s a good tournament,” Allison said. “We’re all excited to be here. It gives you good competition. It’s three good games which you know you’re going to have to play really well.”
“Coach Keaton has always done a great job putting the schedule together,” Feltner said. “This is the first time we’ve been in the Derby Classic. It’s a great opportunity.”
Lawrence County and Boyd County are scheduled to face off in the area’s marquee matchup at 6 p.m.
CLARK COUNTY 000 140 0 - 5 6 2
LAWRENCE COUNTY 020 102 1 - 6 13 2
Bell, Jackson (6) and Barker; Michael, Cyrus (6) and Hayes. W — Cyrus. L — Jackson. 2B — Clark Co., Bennett, Lawrence Co., Miller. 3B — Cyrus.
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