North defeats Henderson

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:27 AM CDT

For now, the Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball team sits alone atop the Region 2 regular season standings after a rocky, yet hard-earned win Tuesday evening against Henderson County at Elmer Kelley Stadium.

The Maroons (16-7, 10-1 2nd Region) jumped out to a five-run lead despite encountering several baserunning miscues, but then surrendered three runs in the sixth inning before escaping with a 5-3 victory against the Colonels (15-5, 5-2).

"That's a big win for us, not that we're in awe of those guys, but we respect them," North coach Scott Vance said. "Hopefully, they respect us and that's two pretty good baseball programs going at it, and fortunately tonight we came out on top."

North led 1-0 after three innings before scoring a pair in both the fourth and fifth to extend the lead to 5-0.

Maroon starter Ben Campbell rolled until the sixth inning when Henderson sent seven batters to the plate. Leadoff hitter Jordan Cessna started the offensive outburst by reaching via walk after North failed to retire the batter on two separate pop foul balls. Then, Gage Thompson singled to left field.

Next up, the Colonels' No. 3 hitter, Kyle Gibson, laid down a sacrifice bunt. Campbell fielded the bunt, but his throw sailed down the right field line, allowing both runners to score and Gibson to advance to third.

Campbell settled down to retire the next Colonel hitter on strikes, but then allowed an RBI single to center to cut the North advantage to just two runs. Henderson failed to pull any closer, though.

During the seventh, Campbell sent the Colonels down in order and struck out the final two batters of the game. Campbell finished the game with eight strikeouts and allowed just five hits.

Offensively for the Maroons, the home squad did not take long to get on the scoreboard. Catcher Dalton Lykins started the second inning with a double to left field and eventually scored on a Zach Baird RBI single to left.

Unfortunately, later in the inning, North lost a baserunner when Aaron Young attempted to advance to third on a wild pitch and was thrown out by the Henderson catcher.

Then, in the fourth, the Maroons nearly committed another baserunning blunder with one out and men on second and first. With Baird at the plate, he ripped a single to left. Vance gave Justin Lamb a stop sign as he rounded third, but Young continued toward third.

The Colonels defense noticed the development and pitcher Christian McHatton attempted to tag Lamb in the baseline midway between third and home. McHatton lunged at Lamb, but dropped the ball, allowing the runner to score safely and take a 2-0 lead. Later in the same inning, Matt Levin scored on a wild pitch.

North struck for two more runs in the fifth inning. Campbell doubled Ryan Quinn home to push the advantage to 4-0. Campbell then advanced to third on a passed ball and Micah Rainwater brought him in to score on a sacrifice fly to conclude the Maroon scoring on the evening.

Although Henderson scored in just one inning, the North defense made a spectacular play in the fourth to keep the Colonels off the board. Left fielder Dylan Bailey smacked a double to left field, but got greedy and made his way toward third. Quinn grabbed the ball near the fence and fired to shortstop Michael Huddleston, who then turned to fire to Lamb, who applied the tag for the inning's second out.

Despite a few mistakes during the contest, North managed to pull out the win and Vance said such a victory against a quality opponent may point the team toward further success in the coming weeks.

"It could be a little bit of an emotional lift, it could be a little bit of a psychological lift," Vance said. "The bottom line is that was a good brand of baseball we played tonight and hopefully we'll just take that and build on that."

North returns to action at 6 p.m. Thursday at Crittenden County.

Dawson Springs falls to Webster County

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS -- Even before Monday evening's softball contest between Dawson Springs and Webster County began, coach Kent Workman said he could tell something was amiss with his squad.

By game's end, the Lady Panthers (9-5) committed three errors and never seemed to gel despite hanging close with the Lady Trojans (7-9) in an eventual 6-5 loss.

"We just didn't seem to come out today with intensity at all," Workman said. "We showed it in warm-ups, we bobbled the ball. We just didn't look like we were ready to play and it showed."

The biggest mistake came during the top of the sixth inning with Webster at the plate. With one out and runners on first and third, Dawson's infield mixed signals on how to cover a possible steal attempt.

As Webster's runner at first base broke for second, Lady Panther catcher Kelsey Beshears fired toward the bag, but no was there to receive the ball.

"We had called that play off," Workman said after the game. "I just don't think we were mentally ready to play. I don't know what it is."

The ball rolled into center field and allowed Courtney Traylor to tie the game at 5-5. Pitcher Brooke Randolph walked Haley Binkley to put runners on first and second. Next up, Ashly Smith ripped a single through the middle to go ahead by one run.

Randolph struck out the next two batters, but the damage had been done.

Smith, who pitched a complete game for Webster, did not allow a hit in the final three innings to preserve the Lady Trojan victory.

Both squads manufactured three runs in the third by finding defensive gaps and taking advantage of errors. Webster took a 4-1 lead with its offensive outburst. Two errors and a wild pitch contributed to the Lady Trojan's success in the third.

In the bottom half of the inning, Webster committed three errors of its own and Whitney Copeland and Randolph each collected singles. Two runs scored via errors and Randolph's hit tied the game at 4-4.

"I thought offensively we did pretty well," Workman said. "I was a little concerned we left those two runners on in the first inning. We have a tendency to do that sometimes, but then we came back and had some good innings, moving runners, hitting the ball."

Copeland and Shelby Bruce each finished the game with two hits to pace Dawson. Randolph collected the other hit with her RBI single. India Robinson plated one run on a delayed suicide squeeze bunt.

On the mound, Randolph tossed a complete game and struck out nine while walking two.

Following Monday's loss, Workman said he can only hope his girls understand the importance and attention needed for today's 5:30 p.m. game with Hopkins County Central.

"(It's) the real deal," he said. 'We have to come in here prepared, ready to field the ball, ready to hit the ball and make the right plays at the right time."

Dawson enters the contest with a 2-1 record in 7th District play while Central has a 4-0 mark.

Webster (7-9) 013 002 0 - 6 7 5

Dawson (9-5) 103 100 0 - 5 5 3

WP: Ashly Smith. LP: Brooke Randolph.

Central wins tourney

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, April 26, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

After losing 1-0 Friday night to Webster County in eight innings, the Hopkins County softball team won four straight games on Saturday to take home the Lady Maroon Invitational Championship led by several outstanding pitching performances including a no-hitter by Ali Austin.

Nine days after tossing a perfect game, Austin shut down Livingston Central for a 3-1 no-hit victory on Saturday in pool play.

"Our defense was really strong this game," Austin said. "We've been on. Our defense has been really good, I hope I'm not jinxing ourselves by saying this.

"They're a good hitting team and every time they put the ball in play we always managed to get an out. I remember a couple of them that were hit deep to shortstop and (Ashley) Flener was able to hurl it over there and get the out."

Livingston (14-8) plated one run in the sixth, but Central (15-6) tallied three in the same frame for the final score.

Austin struck out 12 and walked just one batter while the Lady Storm committed three errors.

When asked what's next for Austin on her list of accomplishments, the sophomore smiled and gave a response of gratitude.

"I'm just playing as I go, accepting all I can get and doing the best I can," Austin said with a laugh. "I've got the easy job. Our coaches are the ones calling the pitches, telling me what to do. All I have to do is throw the ball."

Central won its next game in the tournament semifinals to face Livingston for the championship. Austin handled the Lady Cardinals with ease once again by tossing a one-hit shutout as the Lady Storm prevailed 1-0.

Alexis Curneal provided the only offense Central would need with an RBI base hit in the first inning to plate Flener.

During the course of the game, Austin struck out five and did not walk a batter to lead Central to an unexpected achievement.

"A championship, a win of the tournament is great for any team," coach Jesse Huff said. "The girls are very happy. It was an accomplishment we had not counted on this year and was presented to us and we were able to take it.

"After last night, they came focused to play today. I have to give them the credit for getting themselves mentally prepared for the games we had to win today to get back to the championship."

Earlier in the day following the no-hitter, Austin teamed with pitchers Taylor Crawley and Chelsey Gordon to limit Hopkinsville (8-14) to just two hits in a 6-0 shutout in semifinal action.

The Lady Storm offense kicked into gear quickly with three runs in the first inning. Austin provided her own support with a two-run, bases-loaded single. Next up, Hannah Tow ripped an RBI single to left field.

In the third, Alexis Curneal scored from third on an errant throw in an attempt to double-up the runner off the base. Central added its final two runs in the fourth on back-to-back RBI doubles by Crawley and Flener.

Hopkinsville made its greatest threat to score in the fifth when the Lady Tigers loaded the bases with one out. Central's pitching induced back-to-back outs though to escape the jam. Hopkinsville went down in order during the sixth and seventh as the Lady Storm preserved the win and Crawley earned her second pitching victory of the day.

During Central's first game of pool play Saturday morning, the Lady Storm defeated Lyon County 4-1.

On the mound, Crawley held Lyon (4-6) in check for 6 1/3 innings before Austin entered for the save.

Lyon scored once in the top of the first for a 1-0 advantage, but Central scored twice in the bottom half and never looked back. The Lady Storm went on to add two more in the fifth all the while keeping Lyon off the board.

Taylor Brackett led Central offensively going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Crawley and McKenzie Taylor also had multi-hit games.

Central cancelled its 6:30 p.m. Monday scheduled home contest with Lyon and will next play 5:30 p.m. Tueday at Muhlenberg South.

Livingston 000 000 0 - 0

Central 100 000 X - 1

WP: Ali Austin

Hopkinsville 000 000 0 - 0

Central 301 200 X - 6

WP: Taylor Crawley

Livingston 000 001 0 - 1

Central 000 003 X - 3

WP: Ali Austin

Lyon 100 000 0 - 1

Central 200 020 X - 4

WP: Taylor Crawley

S: Ali Austin

Late error costly for North

y Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, April 26, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

Winning in walk-off fashion can be one of the funnest experiences in sports, but being on the losing end of such a game provides one of the sourest feelings. Such dour emotions accompanied the Madisonville-North Hopkins softball team's loss to Webster County Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Maroons led 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, but Webster's Ashley Smith knocked in a run on an RBI single and then scored on a three-base error for a 5-4 Lady Trojan victory.

With one out and a runner on third, Smith laced a ball to centerfielder Kaci Rainwater. The ball dropped in front of Rainwater, who lunged forward, and the ball darted under her glove and all the way to the fence. Smith never slowed her stride around the bases and scored the winning run.

"Sometimes they get lucky," coach Kacie Jackson said of the game's ending. "We tell them to keep your heads up, keep doing what we're doing.

"We try to encourage them as much as possible while still focusing on areas we can improve."

Making the loss even harder to take was the fact North (7-14) ended a 3-3 tie in the top of the seventh to take the lead against Webster (7-8).

Brooke Burden started the inning with an infield base hit and scored on a pinch-hit double by Kyleigh Taylor, who has been out with a knee injury.

"We talked about if (Taylor) was going to come in, it was going to be on a one-time, pinch-hit basis if the situation called for it," Jackson said.

Jackson's decision paid off and North took a one-run lead into the final frame.

On the mound, Kelly Herrenbruck tossed her third straight complete game and struck out five.

Offensively, Burden notched North's only multi-hit game going 2-for-4.

Hannah Cates and Chelsea Britt each recorded triples. Caitlin Todd had one hit and one RBI. Karah Gill hit a sacrifice fly in the second inning for the Lady Maroons' first run.

For Webster, Smith tossed a complete game for the win. Smith tallied 12 strikeouts. Smith also had a 3-for-4 day at the plate. Kassie Mitchell went 2-for-3 with one RBI. The Lady Trojans' top three hitters recorded all of their team's hits on the game.

The loss dropped North to the No. 4 seed to begin tournament play forcing a rematch of the invitational's opening pool play contest against Livingston Central, a game North won 2-0.

The Lady Maroons began the game on a promising note with a leadoff triple from Cates, who later scored in the first inning on an error. Livingston scored seven runs in the first two innings, however, to go ahead 7-1. North struggled offensively from that point and did not push any more runs across.

The Lady Cardinals scored the game's final run in the fourth.

Gill and Audra Lee finished the contest 2-for-3 for North. Rainwater also added a hit.

The loss dropped North from the one-and-out portion of the tournament.

After defeating Livingston Friday night, North then lost to Lyon County 6-3.

Lyon (4-6) jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings, but the Lady Maroons scored two in the third and one in the fourth to pull within two runs. Lyon added a single run in the fifth for the final score.

Pitcher Heather Webb tossed a complete game in a losing effort.

At the plate, Burden and Britt each hit a triple. Cates, Todd and Rainwater also provided hits in the contest.

North 100 000 0 - 1

Livingston 430 100 X - 8

LP: Heather Webb

North 011 010 1 - 4 6 2

Webster 012 000 2 - 5 7 2

WP: Ashley Smith

LP: Kelly Herrenbruck

Friday

North 002 100 0 - 3

Lyon 140 010 X - 6

LP: Heather Webb

Lady Maroons edge Livingston Central, 2-0

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, April 25, 2009 12:24 AM CDT

Offense proved nearly as sparse as snowflakes during a western Kentucky summer in Friday evening's softball matchup between Madisonville-North Hopkins and Livingston Central.

Pitcher Kelly Herrenbruck carried a no-hitter into the final inning of play and both teams tallied a combined three hits as North (7-12) defeated Livingston (11-6) by a final score 2-0 in the Lady Maroon Invitational.

Herrenbruck, who typically plays outfield, tossed her second complete game in as many days and stifled the opposition by not allowing a hit until the seventh. After pitchers Kyleigh Taylor and Katlyn Daniel went down with injuries, Herrenbruck has been clutch as the new go-to arm.

"She's not used to pitching and I told her at the beginning of the year if she came in to pitch, it would be on an emergency basis - and it's an emergency basis," coach Kacie Jackson said. "She's really stepped up and we couldn't ask for more."

Leadoff hitter Hannah Cates recorded North's only two hits of the game and knocked a single in the first to begin the contest. Cates reached second on a passed ball, third on a wild pitch and then safely touched home in a run down.

Lady Cardinals pitcher Mariah Owen sailed a pitch past the catcher and Cates broke toward home, but decided to go back. The Livingston catcher threw to the third baseman, but Cates changed direction toward home and eventually scored.

The Lady Maroons managed just one other baserunner until the sixth. That's when Morgan Hestand reached second to start the inning after a two-base error by the centerfielder. Next up, Kaci Rainwater dropped a bunt to the pitcher. Owen made an errant throw to first and Hestand scored from second.

Meanwhile, Herrenbruck came within three outs of a no-hitter. Livingston's Courtney Walker ended the bid on a 1-0 pitch to start the seventh. An outfield assist, fielder's choice and pop up all in succession ended the game resulting in a North win.

Defense played a large role in Herrenbruck's performance with Hestand and Cates making several spectacular plays at third and shortstop respectively.

"I was so proud of them," Herrenbruck said of the defensive duo. "They picked up the intensity and did their job."

Fifteen of the recorded 21 outs involved either Hestand or Cates, including nine in a row at one point. Herrenbruck walked one batter in the second and then retired the next 15 batters consecutively.

"I felt pretty confident," Herrenbruck said after the game. "We were doing a good job tonight. Me and my catcher (Caitlin Todd) were working really well. We were communicating and things were going great."

Offensively, Cates went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Hestand scored the other run. Herrenbruck reached on a walk.

For the Lady Cardinals, Owen tossed six innings and struck out eight.

North played Lyon County in a game scheduled to start at approximately 8:15 p.m. Friday, but results were not availible as of press time.

Livingston (11-6) 000 000 0 - 0 2 2

North (7-12) 100 001 X - 2 2 1

WP: Kelly Herrenbruck

LP: Mariah Owen

North locks up regular season district title

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, April 24, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

PRINCETON -- An 11-run third inning propelled the Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball team to the 2009 regular season 7th District championship on Thursday evening against Caldwell County.

The Maroons remained undefeated with one district game to play and locked up the crown with a 16-7 victory against the Tigers.

Caldwell, Dawson Springs and Hopkins County Central each have at least two district losses. North finishes its district schedule with the Panthers May 5.

"No matter if we lose to Dawson Springs or not, we're the district champs," coach Scott Vance said. "That was big for us. That was one of our goals and we achieved that tonight. That was a feather in our hat and to the kids."

Senior Justin Lamb provided a solid effort in the win at the plate and also on the mound. Lamb toed the rubber for the first time of his high-school career. He entered the game with a 15-6 lead and tossed the final two innings to close out the game. During his stint, Lamb allowed just one run on one hit and struck out two.

Although Vance unexpectedly called upon Lamb to throw, the every day first baseman said he didn't feel any jitters.

"It felt pretty comfortable to tell you the truth," Lamb said. "I felt like I had a job to do and I was going to do everything I could to do it."

Lamb also affected the game with his bat by going 3-for-4 with three RBIs including a solo home run to left field in the seventh, North's final run of the game.

When asked after the game, which felt better - the homer or his pitching effort - Lamb opted for a third choice.

"I think everything coming together pretty much (made) a perfect night," he said.

Pitcher Ben Campbell started the game for the Maroons and struck out four in two innings of work. Campbell threw just 21 pitches and because he was so efficient, Vance said he plans to use the senior hurler to start today's contest as well.

After stranding runners in the first and second innings, North exploded for 11 runs in the third and sent 16 batters to the plate. All but one of the Maroon starters reached base during the offensive outbreak. At one stretch in the inning, three consecutive North batters created RBI infield singles.

Caldwell struck for a single run in the third against reliever Aaron Stockton. The Tigers manufactured their own big inning in the fourth by plating five for an 11-6 game. North did not allow the deficit to shrink any further though as Micah Rainwater and Lamb filled in after Stockton left in the fourth.

The Maroons batted around again when they added four runs in the fifth. Campbell provided the big blast with a two-run home run to left.

Offensively, five North batters recorded multi-hit games. Campbell posted a game-high four RBIs while Lamb and Zach Baird each amounted three.

North next plays 5 p.m. today at Calloway County.

North (14-4) 00(11) 040 1 - 16

Caldwell (7-10) 001 500 1 - 7

WP: Ben Campbell

LP: T.J. Gilkey

Utley beats Pikeville to notch first collegiate victory

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter

Published: Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Lindsey Wilson College pitcher Ethan Utley earned his first collegiate win on April 16 against Pikeville College in a 14-3 five-inning, complete-game contest.

Utley, a 2008 Hopkins County Central graduate, allowed three runs on three hits and struck out seven batters.

Thus far on the season, Utley has struck out 28 in 241/3 innings on the mound.

Madisonville-North Hopkins product Drew Bennett raised his batting average 51 points with a 2-for-4 performance over two games last week with Vincennes University (Ind.).

Bennett, who starred last season as a catcher for the Maroons, ripped a pinch-hit RBI single against Ancilla College (Ind.) in a 14-2 win on April 10. The next day, Bennett started and went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk against St. Joseph's College of Indiana as Vincennes prevailed 10-0.

The Blazers have posted a 27-11 overall record and have won seven straight games. Vincennes next plays at 2 p.m. today at Lincoln Trail Community College (Ill.).

Men's golf

Former Storm golfer Mitchell Faulk competed for Kentucky Wesleyan College in the Midwest Region No. 3 Tournament at Purgatory Golf Course in Noblesville, Ind. on April 19-20.

Faulk, a freshman, fired a first-round score of 79, the third-best round of the tournament for the Panther squad. However, the next day, Faulk slipped and shot a 90, which placed him in a tie for 81st overall.

KWC finished 16th of 19 teams in the tournament.

Women's softball

Dawson Springs graduate Katrina Carter has firmly established herself as a dependable No. 3 pitcher for Wabash Valley College (Ill.) this season.

Through 10 games played, Carter, a freshman, has racked up a 2-0 record and 1.59 ERA.

During her 22 innings pitched, Carter has allowed five earned runs with eight strikeouts and two walks.

Men's track

Barry Quinn and the Western Kentucky University track program competed in the Lenny Lyles/Clark Wood Invitational hosted by the University of Louisville on Saturday.

Quinn, who graduated from North, finished 11th in the 1,500 meter run (4:23.62) and 15th in the 800 meter dash (2:08.78).

Both the men's and women's track teams will host the WKU Invitational Saturday at Charles M. Ruter Track.

Johnston propels Central

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 12:18 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- Austin Johnston toed the rubber for the Hopkins County Central baseball team Tuesday evening against Dawson Springs and threw a complete game, the Storm's third in as many contests.

Johnston struck out 14 Panthers and held Dawson Springs (0-9) scoreless until the sixth inning before eventually leading Central (10-5) to a 7-2 victory.

"I just told our kids in the dugout, 'I want you to recognize when (Johnston) gets finished how important this is to our team,' " Central coach Lee James said. "Any time you get a complete-game win, that's crucial to any baseball team and we've been blessed with a couple of those these last four, five days."

Austin's performance came just three days after Will Miller and Tyler Harris tossed back-to-back five-inning complete games in a doubleheader against Community Christian on Saturday.

Johnston began the game by striking out the first three Dawson batters and then provided his own support in the first inning with an RBI pop fly that fell in short left field to take a 1-0 lead.

On the mound, Johnston struck out at least two batters in every inning except the seventh.

"He's a bulldog," James said. "I challenged him before the game. I went to the bullpen and I just told him you've got four pitches on every batter. Within four pitches, I want them on the base or I want them out and he pretty well stuck to that."

The words helped Johnston maintain his focus on the hill.

"All I was thinking was here it is, if you can hit it, hit it because I'm coming right at you," Johnston said.

Central scored twice in the third on a Dustin Grant RBI double and Coleman Ladd RBI single.

In the fourth, Johnston struck for two more RBIs in a four-run inning when he laced a double, which fell at the base of the right-center field fence. Before that hit, Stephen Gordon provided a run-scoring single and Grant knocked in one on a fielder's choice. The Storm led 7-0 after four innings.

No Panther reached second base until the sixth inning. Johnston and Grant combined for two 'strike 'em out, throw 'em out' plays during the game to keep Dawson off the base paths.

Dayton Reed and Ethan Scott finally got Dawson on the scoreboard though as each recorded two-out RBI base hits in the sixth to pull within five. The Panthers recorded three hits and one batter reached on a walk to create the threat.

Dawson coach Adam Locke said his team needs to work on manufacturing a consistent effort at the plate to be competitive.

"Offensively, we're just not where we need to be right now," he said. "Plate discipline is hurting us. We've been trying to focus in practice offensively, but we haven't been on the field enough with all this rain...We're getting better. We're finding some guys that are moving the ball."

For the Panthers, Brett Cobb and first-year player Carson Labrado each finished with 2-for-3 days.

"(Carson's) come a long way," Locke said. "I love his mentality toward it. He's a heady kid. He thinks about the game and breaks it down, which I love. He's constantly asking me questions and staying at the field until seven or eight o'clock at night."

Offensively, Johnston posted a team-high two hits and three RBIs for Central. Others with hits included Grant, Ladd, Stephen Gordon and Micah Rorer.

The Storm next play at noon Saturday at Community Christian in the first of a doubleheader while Dawson returns to action 5:30 p.m. Friday at Butler County.

Dawson (0-9) 000 002 0 - 2 6 6

Central (7-5) 102 400 X - 7 6 2

WP: Austin Johnston

LP: Ethan Scott

Dawson Springs splits with Rockets

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 12:03 AM CDT

DAWSON SPRINGS -- Pitcher Brooke Randolph established a career-high 10 innings pitched in a single day for the Dawson Springs softball team on Monday as the Lady Panthers split a doubleheader with Crittenden County.

Randolph struck out a total 11 hitters while Dawson captured a 6-2 victory to start the evening, but dropped the second contest, 5-1.

Crittenden County scored three runs in the first inning to begin the second game. The runs proved to be all the Lady Rockets needed as the Lady Panthers mounted just three hits in the contest.

After the games, coach Kent Workman said he has noticed his girls don't typically have the same intensity in the second half of a doubleheader.

"I don't know if it's the syndrome where it's like a JV game," he said. "They sit around for a few minutes, go do whatever they need to do and come back and it's almost like we lose our focus. I thought we came out flat in the second game and we never got a spark."

Making the loss even more difficult to manage was the fact Dawson stranded eight runners in the game and struggled to take advantage of Crittenden's four errors.

"It is disheartening when we leave base runners on almost every inning especially for as well as we did the first game," Workman said. "If we hadn't had batted very well and had those good innings in the first game, it wouldn't be as disheartening for me in the second game knowing we hit the girl and did the thing we did."

The Lady Panthers appeared to get their much needed spark in the fourth inning, but an odd play ended the team's scoring threat.

Dawson had runners at second and third with Whitney Copeland at the plate. Copeland hit a pop up to the left side of the infield and a Lady Panther runner bumped into the third baseman, who then tripped the shortstop. Two runs would have scored on the play, but the umpiring crew ruled runner's interference and awarded Crittenden with the final out of the inning.

"In reality sake, our girl didn't actually hit her, but the official told me it caused the reaction," Workman said.

"But we should never been in that situation to rely on that with two outs. We should have hit the ball more consistently in the second game and we just didn't do it."

During the first game, offense did not prove to be difficult to find for the Lady Panthers.

Emilee Workman began the scoring in the second inning. Workman singled to left, advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third and then slid safely into home on another wild pitch. Later in the second, Shelby Bruce knocked in a run on a single to right.

The Lady Rockets scored two in the top of the third, but the Lady Panthers put four more on the board in the fourth to create the final score.

Randolph and Kelsey Beshears singled to start the inning and each advanced a base on an error. Bruce brought the lumber again by knocking one in on a fielder's choice. Bruce's hit found the glove of a Lady Rocket infielder, who threw home, but could not get the Dawson base runner. The ball trickled away from the catcher's glove allowing another run to come home.

Dawson scored its final two runs on another error and a passed ball for a 6-2 game.

Meanwhile, Randolph allowed just two runs on five hits to secure the win. Randolph exhibited great control by walking just three batters in her 10 innings.

"I've been throwing ever since I was a sixth-grader and I know if I'm in a 3-0 count or 3-1 count, I have to just step off the mound, get my focus back and go after them," she said.

Dawson returns to action at 5:30 p.m. today to play host to Madisonville-North Hopkins. Randolph is slated as the Lady Panthers' starter.

1st game

Crittenden 002 00 -- 2 5 4

Dawson Springs 020 4X -- 6 7 3

WP: Brooke Randolph. LP: Sammie Jo Quisenberry.

2nd game

Crittenden 300 20 -- 5 6 4

Dawson Springs 001 00 -- 1 3 0

WP: Sammie Jo Quisenberry. LP: Brooke Randolph.

North falls to Bullitt East, beat Daviess County

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, April 19, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

Pitted against two of the toughest teams in the state, the Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball team exhibited exactly why the Maroons should also be in the top 25 conversation following a doubleheader on Saturday.

North began the day with a 14-11 loss to Bullitt East, but rebounded in the nightcap with a 7-4 victory against Daviess County at Elmer Kelley Stadium.

"We're facing the No. 6 team in the first game and the No. 22 team in the state in the second game and I told the kids after the game, I said, 'I think if you put all three in a hat, I don't know who's the best,'" coach Scott Vance said. "Does that put us right there with them? I think so."

Vance said the difference in winning or losing when playing such talented teams often comes down to the smallest aspects.

"When you play good people like Daviess County and Bullitt East, there's no gifts," he said. "You have to play and you own everything you get.

"It's just about who's going to make the routine plays, who's going to play fundamental baseball and that's usually who comes out on top in those games," he said.

Against Daviess (9-4), the Maroons (12-4) excelled at the fundamentals by staying alert and scrapping for each run. North jumped on the board quickly in the first scoring once on a bases loaded balk and another on a Justin Lamb RBI ground-out. With those runs, the Maroons led 2-1 and maintained an advantage the rest of the game.

North struck for another pair of runs in the third inning and one in the fourth. Lamb provided another run-producing plate appearance when two scored on his bloop double to right field in the third.

With a team total 18 runs and 18 hits on the day, Lamb said he likes the Maroons offensive potential.

"We're just a really strong hitting team and I hope it stays strong," he said. "We've never had a team like this."

Hayden Marks had two RBI against Daviess with a ground-out in the fourth and a single in the sixth. Pitcher Ben Campbell rounded out the scoring with his RBI double in the sixth to go ahead 7-2.

Campbell cruised much of the game, but the Maroons suffered some unfortunate miscues in the final frame. With one out and a man on first base, North attempted to turn a double play on a grounder to short. When the Maroons turned the ball, the field umpire ruled the second baseman was off the bag and the ensuing throw sailed out of play allowing the lead runner to score and the batter/runner to third.

"That's the ol' vicinity call," Vance said. "If I'm in the same area code, I'm probably ringing him up there at second and (the ump) didn't and that's OK."

The next batter hit a sacrifice fly to pull within three, but Campbell ended the game on a strikeout to quell the rally.

In the first game, North produced plenty of offense, but could not manufacture an overall clean game against Bullitt East (12-3).

"We didn't make plays," Vance said. "We swung the bat well, but probably out of all the phases of the game that was the only thing we did well."

Catcher Dalton Lykins led North offensively with a 4-for-4 game including a solo home run in the third that cleared the left-center field fence.

"I sit on the high and inside ball," Lykins said about the blast. "I didn't think it was gone. I thought it was straight up, but the wind got with me."

The Maroons led 11-10 after five innings, but surrendered four in the sixth as Bullitt East captured the win.

Despite the loss, North has plenty of momentum to carry into next week's action.

"It just proved we're a contender," Lamb said. "We were there the whole way. If we didn't make some of the mistakes we made, then we should have had that in our back pocket."

North next plays 5:30 p.m. Monday at Union County.

1st game

Bullitt East 235 004 0 - 14 12 5

North 411 500 0 - 11 12 4

LP: Micah Rainwater

2nd game

Daviess 100 010 2 - 4 6 2

North 202 102 X - 7 6 2

WP: Ben Campbell

Central gets doubleheader sweep

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, April 19, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- Through eight contests, the Hopkins County Central baseball team amounted 29 runs, but the Storm struck for 24 during a doubleheader sweep against Community Christian on Saturday afternoon.

Senior catcher Dustin Grant led the charge with five hits and five RBIs and called two complete-game victories behind the plate as the Storm (6-4) defeated the Warriors (0-11) by scores of 11-1 and 13-3, both in six innings.

Coach Lee James said he certainly noticed a different in his players approach at the plate.

"I saw some people really loosen up at the plate and just taking swings -- I've been watching them take swings in the cage, but haven't taken them to the game situation," James said. "Today, I finally got to see that. I hope this is the kind of game that will get our offense clicking."

In the first game, the Storm scored three runs in their first four at-bats before striking for eight combined in the fifth and sixth innings to end the contest 11-1.

All three Central runs in the fifth inning came without a single hit as the Storm benefited from two errors, two walks and two sacrifices.

During the sixth, Grant and company finally ended the game. Grant and Cody Nesmith each smacked two-run hits. Nesmith's double, which dropped behind the left fielder, ended the game in walk-off fashion.

On the mound, Storm pitcher Will Miller cruised to a complete game and did not allow a run until the sixth. In the third inning, Miller retired three batters on three pitches.

During the second contest, it was more of the same as Central continued the hitting attack and Tyler Harris tossed another six-inning complete game in a 13-3 victory.

As in the first matchup, Storm leadoff hitter Micah Rorer caused fits for the Warrior defense with his speed and ability to threaten with the bunt. Rorer finished the day 3-for-4 with two walks, one hit by pitch, one sacrifice and seven stolen bases.

"He puts pressure on the defense every time he walks into the box," James said. "They have to come in and honor the bunt. Even when they do that it still doesn't mean they can get him out. He's probably the fastest kid I've ever coached."

Grant entered the day with just one hit on the season, but went 4-for-4 in the second matchup with Community Christian.

"I've been in a slump pretty much all year and since I hit that home run I've been hitting the ball better now," Grant said. "I'm getting my eye on the ball and started driving the ball better."

When Grant approached the plate in the sixth with his team up 8-3, he needed a home run to complete the cycle.

Grant took two big cuts to fall behind 0-2 as the feat loomed in his mind.

"I did, I think I tried too hard on that last one honestly," he said. "I tried to kill the ball."

It wasn't a home run, but Grant finally connected for a single.

Others with multi-hit games included Stephen Gordon (3-for-4), Nesmith (2-for-4), Austin Johnston (2-for-4) and Coleman Ladd (2-for-4).

With five runs in the sixth inning, Central completed the sweep in its second straight, six-inning walkoff win.

Meanwhile, Harris toss another gem for Central to spare the bullpen.

"That wasn't really the intention, but both of them kept their pitch counts down and they did a pretty good job," James said of his hurlers.

James said he's optimistic Saturday's results are a sign of his team's future success.

"We've been needing a game where we can get our confidence and get things rolling and hopefully we accomplished that today."

First game

Community Christian 000 001 - 1 4 2

Central 201 035 - 11 6 2

WP: Will Miller

LP: George Thompson

2nd game

Community Christian 010 200 - 3 4 6

Central 302 035 - 13 16 1

WP: Tyler Harris

LP: Chad Cox

Scrimmage caps Central's spring practice

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, April 18, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP - On Friday afternoon at Hopkins County Central, pads crushed, handoffs were given and tackles made as the Storm football team capped its last spring practice with an intrasquad scrimmage.

Missing from the day's action were 14 seniors and former head coach Rick Snodgrass as Zach Hibbs commanded the field and directed the 2009 squad.

"We lost a lot of kids and any time when you lose that many kids, you just want to come away from spring ball with a good feeling," Hibbs said following the scrimmage.

The cupboard is not bare though as several key players return highlighted by linebacker Nathan Crick and defensive backs Lucas Duncan and Nikee Caldwell.

"We know they're going to continue to do their job and that's an ease on us because that's something we don't have to worry about, refining them when we can worry about other people," Hibbs said.

On offense, Luke Crawley will assume duties at quarterback. Last season, Crawley filled in for Jacob Powell when Powell missed the final two games of the regular season with an injury. Crawley led Central to victories in both contests. By season's end, Crawley threw for three touchdowns and rushed for four.

A new face will join Crawley in the backfield in Anthony Qualls, who requested to take on some offensive responsibilities in addition to playing defensive end, Hibbs said.

"He's one of your fastest kids on the field, he's one of the most athletic kids on the field, and it makes all the sense in the world to try and get him the ball, but when he plays defensive end as well as he does, that's one of those things that's a big jump," Hibbs said. "But we're going to give him a shot."

Still, Hibbs said he expects Qualls to play roughly 30 percent of offensive plays or every few series.

Central also plans to increase its use of the tight end position. During spring practice, Bryan Mason and Shelby Cummings each got looks at tight end.

Utilizing the tight end was a big key for the team offensively, Hibbs said. On defense, he and defensive coordinator David Wampler identified consistent execution as a goal.

The spring sessions have also allowed the Storm lineman to shake off the cobwebs and hit someone.

As the scrimmage progressed, Central alternated running 15 plays with first-team defense and first-team offense with full-contact.

"There's no chance for our guys to get in weight room and lock up on somebody and just drive them straight back, so this is the only opportunity other than football season to put on the pads and see what they've got on the drive," Hibbs said.

Elijah Stewart and Caleb Driver are two individuals who have impressed the staff with their effort and progress from last season, Hibbs said. Both will get a shot to see pivotal time in the line's rotation.

Cody Summers returns for his senior campaign at center, but left the field during Friday's scrimmage with an undetermined knee injury when he became the bottom man in a pile of tacklers.

Despite the setback, the Storm have plenty to look forward to as yet another class of players anticipates the upcoming season.

Daniel comes up big for North

y Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, April 17, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

Thrust onto the mound in the middle of the second inning, Madisonville-North Hopkins pitcher Katlyn Daniel exhibited none of the tension she felt within and carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning.

When North's No. 1 Kyleigh Taylor left the game with a knee injury, coach Kacie Jackson called Daniel from the bullpen and the pitcher did not disappoint as the Lady Maroons (6-8) defeated Caldwell County (1-5), 7-1.

"I could not be more proud of her," Jackson said. "She stepped up. She started to get a little tired at the end, but she pushed through and did a great job for us tonight."

Taylor went down after a follow-through on a pitch in the second and was carried off the field. After the game, Jackson said Taylor has been having problems with her knee cap popping out of place and believe that's what happened when the pitcher set her plant foot.

Daniel, a freshman, had already been loosening before the injury occurred and entered with a comfortable 5-0 lead, but said she still felt pressure to perform.

"My catcher turned around and told me Kyleigh's hurt and I just looked like a deer in the headlights," Daniel said. "I don't do so well under stress, but if I don't think about it I do so much better."

Taylor retired the first five batters in a row and Daniel continued the trend by striking out the first batter she faced looking. With a 2-2 count in the top of the sixth inning, Lady Tiger leadoff hitter Danielle Flood finally broke up the no-hit attempt.

After the game, Daniel said she was unaware of the near accomplishment.

"Not really, I was kinda out of it," she said. "I was just trying to get my job done and get some runs in."

Flood promptly stole second and advanced to third on a ground-out. Flood then scored on a wild pitch, but represented Caldwell's lone run of the contest.

Daniel finished the game with seven strikeouts and allowed just one run on two hits.

Offensively, the Lady Maroons did the bulk of their damage in the first inning. Morgan Hestand began the scoring by reaching home on a dropped fly ball to left field. Later in the first, Chelsea Britt provided the biggest hit of the game with a three-run double to right-center field for a 4-0 advantage. Next up, Karah Gill drove Britt home with a single to left.

Senior Caitlin Todd knocked in a run with a single in the second and Gill added another RBI hit in the third to go ahead 7-0.

Britt, a sophomore, and Gill, a freshman, combined for a 3-for-6 performance with four RBIs and a stolen base.

"They're young girls, but they've been practicing hard and stepping up and getting it done," Jackson said of the duo.

Other North individuals with hits included Taylor, Daniel, Audra Lee and Kaci Rainwater.

The win marked North's first district victory of the season and just the team's second home game. The Lady Maroons next play 5:30 p.m. today at Webster County.

Caldwell (1-5) 000 001 0 - 1 2 2

North (6-8) 511 000 X - 7 8 1

WP: Katlyn Daniel

LP: Samm Jones

Bennett reverses roles at Vincennes

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, April 16, 2009 12:26 AM CDT

Four days after making his collegiate debut for Vincennes University (Ind.), former Madisonville-North Hopkins catcher Drew Bennett toed the rubber on the opposite side of the battery at pitcher.

Bennett assumed the mound on Feb. 19 in relief against the University of the Cumberlands as Vincennes finished with a 12-4 victory.

On the hill, Bennett, a 6-3, 190-pound right-hander, tossed one inning and allowed one earned run on two hits. He also walked two and struck out one.

In his first collegiate contest, Bennett finished 0-for-2, but recorded a walk, RBI and run scored. The next day, he collected his first hit against Tennessee Wesleyan College. Bennett reached on a single and hit by pitch to score two runs and knock in one RBI.

On March 8 against Buffalo College (N.Y.), Bennett delivered an RBI pinch-hit double in the first of three straight games he recorded RBIs. One day after the contest with Buffalo, Bennett had his first multi-hit performance going 2-for-5 with an RBI and double.

Bennett has primarily been used as a designated hitter, but has made one start at catcher thus far.

At the plate, the Maroon product has notched four hits in 21 at-bats including two doubles and five RBIs. Bennett has also reached base via four walks and one hit by pitch.

Vincennes has posted a 20-10 overall record on the year, including a 10-1 mark at home.

Women's tennis

Kentucky Wesleyan College's Brittany Deese defeated Kati Duckworth of Quincy College (Ill.) 6-4, 6-2 in singles action on Saturday.

Deese, a junior who graduated from North, notched one of the Lady Panthers' few victories as the squad fell 6-3.

Duckworth enacted a bit of revenge on Deese in doubles competition when she partnered with teammate Megan Marsot to take down Deese and Alycia Lynch 8-1.

The match dropped Kentucky Wesleyan's record to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Lady Panthers will host two matches this weekend with Northern Kentucky University at 2 p.m. Friday and the University of Indianapolis (Ind.) at 10 a.m. Saturday before the GLVC Championships on April 24 and 25.

Maroons roll over Central

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 12:27 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- Scott Vance's Madisonville-North Hopkins baseball team displayed exactly why the Maroon group has the potential to claim its first regional crown in 30 years with a dominating performance Tuesday evening against Hopkins County Central.

One night after dropping a contest to Union County at home, North rebounded by controlling every phase of the game at Central's Storm Field in a 12-1, five-inning victory.

"The thing I was most pleased with was the way we bounced back mentally," Vance said. "As long as we approach every day in a good mental capacity, we're a pretty good ball team. When we don't, we can lose to any body."

The Maroons (10-3) scored in each of the game's five frames beginning with two in the first. Vance employed his characteristic aggressive style of play early against Central (3-4), including six stolen base attempts and one suicide squeeze in the first two innings of play.

Zach Baird successfully laid down the suicide to plate a charging Aaron Young from third base for a 3-0 lead. Young reached when he swiped an extra base on a liner to right, sliding head first into third for a triple.

Vance said after Monday's loss he did a little soul searching because he felt North had departed from its usual strategy.

"I said today, regardless of the situation, we're going to play aggressive baseball and we're going to try to manufacture runs and that seemed to work today," he said.

North scored four more times in the third inning to lead 9-0. Baird, Young, Justin Lamb and Matt Levin each provided RBIs in the inning.

Meanwhile, the Storm struggled offensively to find a rhythm with the team's lone hits coming from Stephen Gordon and Austin Johnston.

Johnston ripped a long fly ball in the second for a double while Gordon knocked in Central's run with a two-out single in the third.

"Stephen Gordon stepped up tonight and he put it all together," Central coach Lee James said. "He knows what he's doing at the plate and it showed. Austin Johnston had the right approach. He came up and hits one off the fence in right center.

"For the guys that it's clicked with, they've got it and for the others we're going to try some different combinations and try some people in different batting orders and things like that until we find something that works."

Central's hitting did not face an easy opponent on Tuesday in North's No. 1 starter Ben Campbell. Campbell maintained mastery of his pitches despite frigid conditions. Campbell struck out nine and walked just one.

After the game, Campbell said he felt comfortable on the mound because of his confidence in his teammates.

"I was just out there trying to throw strikes," he said. "I knew our defense was behind me to make plays and I was just trying to pound the strike zone."

Maroon shortstop Hayden Marks made the defensive play of the game in the first inning when he ranged to his left. Marks sprinted toward second, dove for a ball, popped up and fired to first in ESPN "Web Gem" fashion to retire Stephen Gordon.

"I just saw the ball and did whatever I could to get to it," Marks said.

In the fifth, Marks hit a two-run single to provide North with enough runs to shorten the game to five innings.

Offensively, Marks, Campbell and Michael Huddleston each recorded multi-hit games.

North returns to Elmer Kelley Stadium at 7 p.m. Thursday to host Heath while Central next plays at 5:30 p.m. Thursday hosting Todd County Central.

North (10-3) 234 12 -- 12 11 1 

Central (3-4) 001 00 -- 1 2 2

WP: Ben Campbell. LP: Austin Johnston.

Central rolls over Ohio

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 9:39 AM CDT

MORTONS GAP -- While Hopkins County Central softball pitchers Ali Austin and Taylor Crawley tried to keep Ohio County going down one, two, three, it was the Lady Storm's six, seven, eight hitters who broke the game open offensively.

The three hitters -- Hannah Tow, Jordan McNary and McKenzie Taylor -- combined for eight RBIs as Central (6-5) scored in each frame of a 16-1 three-inning, run-rule shortened contest against the Lady Eagles (1-2).

"It was good because Ohio County has a good team, we just caught them today," coach Jesse Huff said. "It's like their coach said, this is the flattest he's seen them play. We were ready."

The Lady Storm collected just seven hits, but made the most of each opportunity and took advantage of nine walks and three errors.

"We're getting more disciplined at the plate, being a little more selective and knowing if you're ahead in the count, you have to be smart," Huff said. "The pitchers we have around here are smart and can make you pay for something if you don't stay on top of your game at the plate."

Central began its offensive outburst with six runs in the first inning. Alexis Curneal and Ali Austin started the scoring with an RBI single and RBI walk respectively. Later, Tow provided a bases-loaded triple to right field to raise the Lady Storm advantage to 5-0. Tow then scored on a wild pitch with McNary at the plate.

Curneal and Austin scored two more in the second with a pair of RBI singles. Tow plated one by grounding the ball to second and reaching via error. Then, McNary hit a sacrifice fly and Taylor had an RBI ground out. Crawley smacked the big hit of the inning with a two-run double to center field and the Lady Storm led 13-1 after two full innings.

In the third, Tow and Taylor ended the game with three more runs. Tow knocked in one on a fielder's choice and Taylor ripped a two-run triple to finish the contest in walk-off fashion, 16-1.

On the mound, Austin allowed one run on three hits and struck out two to earn her sixth victory of the season. Crawley struck out all three batters she faced in relief.

"(Crawley) came on and she looked sharp," Huff said. "She looked good today. I thought she was looking real well.

"I was real impressed. She had one of her better outings."

Huff said he wouldn't give up Crawley's secret out pitch, which she used in great success on Monday, with a game against rival Madisonville-North Hopkins today. Central will host the Lady Maroons at 5 p.m.

Ohio Co. (1-2) 010 -- 1 3 3

Central (6-5) 673 -- 16 7 0

WP: Ali Austin (6-2). LP: Melissa Gaither

Hood healthy, ready for Derby Classic

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, April 12, 2009 9:19 AM CDT

One week after removing his walking boot, Madisonville-North Hopkins star Jon Hood displayed he has completely healed from a stress fracture, which curtailed his senior campaign, during a brief scrimmage in Louisville on Thursday.

Hood scored 15 points, notched five assists and threw down two slam dunks during an eight minute scrimmage with the players chosen to participate in the Kentucky Derby Festival Classic to be played today at Freedom Hall.

"He's ready to play," Hood's father Brian said. "He's out there playing and some of them other guys are probably just getting up and down the court."

On April 1, Jon Hood received the Mr. Basketball award and was able to take his boot off for the first time in a month.

Five days later, doctors at the University of Kentucky cleared him "to do anything he wanted to do," Brian Hood said.

North's senior standout has had more than medical issues on his mind with the coaching changes at UK and evaluating his decision to stick with the 'Cats.

Thursday, the 6-7 UK signee showed he's back to form and nothing is weighing him down.

"When you've got all that stuff on your mind and you finally get out there on the court, you forget about that stuff and you just start playing," Brian Hood said. "It's almost like a vacation to be able to play and you don't have to worry about it anymore."

Jon Hood's performance during Thursday's scrimmage proved he's healthy and ready for the collegiate level by standing out against some of the country's most talented high school players. He will play on the Gold team with fellow UK signee Daniel Orton, though it is still not a certainty that Orton will end up in Lexington in the fall due to the coaching change.

Other schools represented on the Gold team include Indiana, Ilinois, UCLA, Florida State, Villanova and Minnesota.

Players on the Black team have committed to schools like Memphis, Louisville, South Carolina, Kansas, USC, Florida, Oklahoma State and Syracuse.

Although Jon Hood has secured a roster spot on the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star squad, he still plans to attend tryouts next week at Campbellsville to "get a run in and build stamina," Brian Hood said.

In addition to his clearance for basketball, he can now begin his assault at the state high jump title after finishing second in 2008.

Back to full health, the sky's the limit for Jon Hood.

"When that boot came off, he was just 'thank goodness,'" Brian Hood said. "He's getting excited about it because he can see it. It's almost here."

Jon Hood was unavailable for comment.

Tauil finds a home at Indiana school

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Friday, April 10, 2009 12:00 AM CDT

OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- Forget standard chants like "Here we go (insert name), here we go" or "Let's go kid" when it comes to taking in a baseball game at Oakland City University.

When former Hopkins County Central player Jorge Tauil and his seven Spanish-speaking teammates dig into the batter's box, fans may yell "Hip, hip, Jorge," "Let's go chico" or "Vamonos."

That's because the Oaks roster boasts seven Venezuelans like Tauil and one Puerto Rico native.

Although the players adjust to their secondary language, English, in the classroom and daily routine, on the baseball diamond, the Spanish tongue provides many advantages.

"It's good because you can cheat, let's just put it that way," Tauil said. "Today in our game, our three hole guy was hitting and he lined it to right field and the right fielder lost it. The pitching coach was telling me the signs and I was telling (our batter) in Spanish to stay back or look for the fastball.

"I asked him after his at-bat and he said he was paying attention to me and staying back. He went the other way with the ball, so it helps a lot."

Tauil, a sophomore, said he also takes advantage by picking up signs himself from the catcher.

"Sometimes, I'm a runner on second and there's a guy hitting, I get the sign and I just yell it in Spanish," he said. "No one is listening to me and I'm like 'Stay back, it's a breaking ball,' or 'Look for a fastball.'"

Most of Tauil's teammates, however, do not speak Spanish and he said he feels bad when he can't help the other players in the same fashion.

This year's World Baseball Classic provided a perfect opportunity for the Venezuelan and American-born Oak players to exude national pride as the two countries squared off three times.

Tauil, who dawned a Venezuelan national cap and shirt after his Wednesday doubleheader, said he and his teammates watched the games on both ESPN and ESPN Deportes, a Spanish version of the sports cable channel.

Venezuela beat the U.S. team in two of the three games, but the Americans won their game in large fashion, 15-6. Following the win, many of the U.S.-born Oakland players pointed out American player Kevin Youkilis' big home run in the victory.

"When USA beat us the first time, the next day on our board in our dugout, coach wrote 'Youkilis' because he had a bomb that day," Tauil said. "All the Americans were just making fun."

Tauil turned the tables when the team's met again.

"We beat them next time, so I wrote on the board 'Youkilis?,' so it was kind of fun," he said.

Tauil, a native of Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, represents one of nearly two dozen students from his country at the approximate 750-student campus.

To earn extra money, Tauil works part time at the school's International Admissions Office with Paul Bukonja, a 2006 grad and first Venezuelan to attend OCU.

In the office, Tauil communicates with potential international students via e-mail and phone, speaking in English and Spanish.

Bukonja, who also hails from Tauil's hometown, said it's vital for current foreign students to give endorsements to those interested in attending OCU and that's how the school recruits most of its international pupils.

"Basically it's by word of mouth," Bukonja said. "They like it too and they all have friends back home and talk to their friends and they end up coming here."

In addition to the baseball team, three Venezuelan athletes play on Oakland City's soccer team and one for the basketball squad.

"A big plus here in America, you guys offer the opportunity of getting an education and playing a sport at the same time, which unfortunately back home you have to choose," Bukonja said.

This fact directly impacted Tauil's decision to attend OCU upon graduation as a foreign-exchange student at Central. Tauil also considered Kentucky Wesleyan College, but ultimately chose his current school because of its Spanish presence.

Entering Wednesday's doubleheader with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Tauil has posted a .299 average and started all 22 games he has played. This summer, Tauil plans to stay on campus to continue working with the International Admissions Office.

Pirates sign three

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Thursday, April 9, 2009 12:16 AM CDT

Tradewater Pirates head coach Brandon Kitch announced the signing of three additional players on Tuesday, expanding the team's roster to 21 with three open slots to fill.

The latest additions include three position players, which should igreatly increase Tradewater's depth in the infield, outfield and behind the plate.

"It's going to be hard to make a lineup, but it's also going to be fun," Kitch said of choosing potential starters among his players. "The thing is that the guys that aren't in lineup will be able to come off the bench and help us out. I'm excited. I'm ready to get started there."

Shortstop Cass Via will join the Pirates from Garden City Community College (Kan.). Via, a 5-11, 185-pound right-handed hitter, led Garden City with a .349 batting average in 2008. This season, Via has hit .364 with a team-high 47 hits and 29 RBIs as well as a .450 on-base percentage.

In the outfield, Sean Flaherty will bring speed and provide some much needed depth when outfielder/pitcher Sean Mahley takes the mound.

"If Mahley is starting for us, then I've got three other guys that can play outfield and go after it for us," Kitch said.

Last season, Mahley worked primarily as a starter for Tradewater, but Kitch and assistant coach Brad Cowan have considered another option for the pitcher.

"Brad and I have been talking and I think we might use him as a closer and that way he can play every day in the outfield and use him to close if we need to."

Pitching should not be a weakness on this year's Tradewater team, Kitch said.

"Our pitching staff, we've

got a bunch of guys that throw the ball hard," he said. "We've got some low ERAs and that's going to help us out there. I think pitching and defense are going to win it for us. I think offensively we're going to be pretty good."

Kitch said the Pirates have also added a catcher to shore up the position and take pressure off the already-signed Miguel Vazquez as well.

In addition to player moves, Kitch has also tentatively hired an assistant in Chris Sexton, who played under Kitch at Vernon College (Texas).

With Sexton on staff, Kitch said Cowan will have the opportunity to talk with pitchers while Sexton coaches first base.

"It never hurts to have another set of eyes, either," Kitch said.

Although Kitch has been busy working as an assistant at Faulkner University (Ala.) this spring, he has had enough time to keep tabs on the Tradewater players' statistics.

"I'm real pleased with the numbers guys are putting up," he said. "Offensively, we've got some guys that can hit for power and run a little bit."

With three open spots left on the roster, Kitch has no doubts how he would like to fill the squad.

"The remaining guys are going to be pitchers for sure," he said. "Brad's working on that as we speak and we should have those done hopefully at the end of the month...I told Brad I wanted to get quality guys instead of just filling out a roster."

Sewell delivers at Asbury

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Wednesday, April 8, 2009 12:25 AM CDT

Former high school baseball players from Hopkins County have been taking advantage of their opportunities to play at the collegiate level this spring with their respective schools.

Asbury College freshman Trevor Sewell made the most of his playing time on March 31 against Centre College by notching his first collegiate hit of his career.

Sewell, a 2008 Dawson Springs grad, entered the game as a substitute and finished the game 1-for-2. Along with his single, Sewell reached base on a walk and added a stolen base.

Asbury won the game 23-11. Sewell, listed as an outfielder, has played in seven games this season, starting two.

Hopkins County Central graduate Jorge Tauil recorded a pair of 1-for-3 performances on April 4 against Miami University Middletown (Ohio) for Oakland City University (Ind.).

Tauil, a sophomore, started both games at shortstop and raised his batting average to .299 on the season, third-best among Oakland City starters.

The Oaks split the doubleheader by losing the first game 1-0 and taking the second 5-4 to improve to 7-16 on the season.

Tauil and his teammates return to the diamond at 12 p.m. today for a doubleheader with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

At Lindsey Wilson College, Ethan Utley has been earning his time as one of the Blue Raiders regulars out of the bullpen.

Utley, who graduated from Central in 2008, has made six appearances with two starts for an 0-1 record. Utley, a 6-0 right-hander, has struck out 17 and allowed 11 earned runs in 14 innings pitched.

Men's golf

Kentucky Wesleyan College golfer Mitchell Faulk represented Hopkins County well with a pair of solid scores in the Midwest Regional on Saturday and Sunday.

Faulk, a 2008 Central alum, shot a 76-78 at Cherry Blossom Country Club in Georgetown to tie for 75th place overall, beating his average by two strokes.

The Panthers' team score of 598 represented the squad's best two-round mark of the season and guided Kentucky Wesleyan to a 14th-place finish of 20 teams.

Faulk and teammate Richard Moore, also a Central product, will compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship on Thursday and Friday at Otter Creek Golf Course in Columbus, Ind.

Tradewater Pirates hone skills

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 12:22 AM CDT

While Major League Baseball opens this week, the 2009 Tradewater Pirates continue to hone their skills for their respective collegiate teams with the KIT League season just seven weeks away.

Future Pirate middle infielder Colby Price has played in a back-up role at Oral Roberts University (Okla.) this season, starting nine of his squad's 20 games. Price's coach inserted him into the lineup against national power University of Texas on March 31 and the scrappy player did not disappoint.

Price manufactured a 2-for-4 performance with one run scored in a 5-4 loss to the No. 9 nationally ranked Longhorns. Price represented one of three Golden Eagle batters to record a multi-hit game as Oral Roberts outhit Texas 10-5.

The Longhorns held a 4-0 advantage heading into the top of the ninth inning. Then, the Golden Eagles struck for four runs to tie the game. Price singled during the rally and eventually came around to score. Texas won, however, in the bottom half of the frame by scoring on a walk-off balk.

Meanwhile, at the University of the Cumberlands, Sean Mahley has been lighting up opponent pitching. Mahley, Tradewater's lone returning player, has hit .342 through 33 starts and boasts a team-high 39 hits.

Mahley has shown a great combination of speed and strength as well. The 6-0, 175-pound center fielder has 34 RBIs, 10 doubles and five home runs as well as 66 total bases and 13 steals.

Teammate Miguel Vasquez, a catcher, has shown nearly equal hitting prowess with a .311 average, nine doubles and four homers.

Other Tradewater players experiencing offensive success in college include Barton County Community College (Kan.) first baseman Austin Messerli and Ouachita Baptist University's (Tenn.) Brock Green.

Messerli currently has a .371 average through 31 games played with 15 of his 36 hits of the extra-base variety. Green ranks among the top four on his team in hits (38), doubles (12) and RBIs (29).

Judging from pitching statistics thus far, Tradewater should have no shortage of formidable hurlers, either. Starters and relievers alike have been posting dominant figures.

Starter Nolan Mullaney, a San Bernardino Valley College (Calif.) prospect, has tossed four complete games in 10 appearances en route to a 5-3 record and 3.18 ERA. Mullaney leads his team in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts.

Georgia State and College University reliever Ryan Tabor tossed two innings of no-hit baseball in relief on April 4 against Francis Marion University (S.C.). Tabor faced the minimum six batters as he threw perfect innings in both the seventh and eighth innings in an eventual 4-1 victory.

Tabor has tallied a 4-1 record and 2.52 ERA. The left-hander has allowed just one run on one hit in his last four innings of work.

At Oklahoma City University (Okla.), Dustin Williams has been integral to the Stars No. 2 NAIA ranking. Williams has made 12 appearances for a 3-0 record and 2.86 ERA. In 28 innings pitched, the righty reliever has given up just 21 hits. Williams has also shown great control by striking out 39 and walking 13.

McReynolds spending break at powerlifting nationals

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Sunday, April 5, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

When envisioning spring break destinations, many individuals picture beaches, relaxing at home, maybe some fishing or perhaps a last ski trip of the season, but Madisonville-North Hopkins senior Skyler McReynolds kicked off his respite from school in unusual style.

McReynolds, a state champion powerlifter, spent Saturday and today competing in the Natural Athlete Strength Association’s 2009 Powerlifting National Championships in Oklahoma City, Okla.

“I think he’s poised and ready to do well,” North powerlifting coach Mark Phaup said.

Phaup has guided McReynolds since the Maroon began lifting as a sophomore.

“He’s just a hard-nosed kid that works extremely hard in the weight room, which you can tell by looking at him,” Phaup said.

McReynolds’ father, Bill, has also played a pivotal role in the teen’s success.

“He’s been my motivation from the start,” McReynolds said of his dad. “I used to be into fitness, watching him lift and I thought I could ask him what I could do so I could get stronger and ever since then he’s just helped me out a lot. He’s my motivation, that’s why I do it.”

In fact, the McReynolds’ duo even captured their own title at North’s 4th Annual Maroon Lift-A-Thon by taking the father and son bench press championship.

On March 14, McReynolds set a state record with his 365-pound bench press and reached a dead lift of 565 pounds at the State Powerlifting Meet at Central Hardin High School.

McReynolds, who competes in the 185-pound division, also owns bench press records in the 175 and 185-pound weight class from participation in the Spencer County Powerlifting Meet from 2008 and 2009 respectively.

This weekend, McReynolds will compete with Louisville Trinity High School as representatives of Kentucky and will have to adjust to some different rules.

At nationals, lifters will perform conventional dead lifts as

opposed to straddle technique. Also, McReynolds must utilize a pause bench press instead of a touch and go. Additionally, McReynolds will round out the competition with squats.

During the state meet, McReynolds said 300 or 400 people were  on hand to watch the competitors, but he expects at least twice as many in Oklahoma City.

“The crowd gets you hyped,” he said. “It used to make me nervous my first year I did it, my sophomore year, but then it motivates you. They’re cheering for you to get your weight.”

In addition to lifting three days a week, McReynolds has also had to keep an eye on his eating habits in order to maintain his weight class.

“I have to weigh 181,” he said. “I was 187 when they told me, so I lost six pounds. I just can’t eat like I could before this. I have to watch what I eat, drink a lot of water and I’ve been running.”

The NASA Championships will be McReynolds first national event and although he said he admits he doesn’t know what to expect, he hopes there are people in the crowd who will be impressed and possibly tender him offers such as endorsements or fitness modeling jobs.

“It could be, you never know if somebody is watching.” McReynolds said with a laugh. “I don’t know, I just hope I bring home some gold.”

No matter the outcome, McReynolds doesn’t appear to be harboring any thoughts of retiring from the sport upon his high school graduation.

“I want to keep it going,” he said. “I don’t ever want to quit lifting weights. It’s like my life, so I can’t really quit it. I’m going to try and stick with it.”

North boys, girls secure wins

By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com

Published: Saturday, April 4, 2009 12:23 AM CDT

As runners exited the Madisonville-North Hopkins athletic complex and volunteers picked up trash left in the football bleachers, Lady Maroons track coach Shelia Clay jumped and let out a shout of unexpected happiness following Friday evening's 29th annual Russell Badgett Invitational.

With many participants long gone, the complete results were finally announced and they yielded a one-point winning margin for North's girls team, 143-142 over Webster County in the seven-school meet.

"It was a surprise because I felt like Webster had it,"Clay said after her celebration. "I knew that Webster would take it, but this was our fourth year in a row we've won. Yes, I was happy."

The news came unexpectedly to Clay because she was busy helping to conduct the invitational.

"I was pretty much running around doing the whole meet, so I didn't hear any scores, so I didn't know how close it was," Clay said.

On the boys side, North also captured first place in its seasonal debut by beating Webster 191-135.5.

Helping North to victory was the team's dominance in field events, winning three of 10.

Nick Hanvy won both the discus throw and the shot put.

"He has really come along in the last year and should be really strong in our region," coach Eric McDurmon said.

Lady Maroon DeDe McReynolds took the girls shot with a toss three foot further than her closest competitor.

For Central, co-coach Stephen Wood said he was impressed with Cody Summers' results. Summers finished in second for shot put in just his first invitational. The Lady Storm's Brianna Cobb also claimed third in the shot put.

Even without state qualifier Jon Hood, North did well in the high jump thanks to Joe Kington's second-place performance, a jump of 5-6.

The North boys posted three individual winners and one relay win in running events. Maarten Adams edged teammate Jordan Wilson in the 300 meter hurdles by .21 seconds. Austen Schuknecht won the 800 meter race with ease in 2:15.54. Finally, Jesse Donahue took first in the 400 meter dash (:55.01).

Donahue and Schuknecht, along with Ivan Jessup and Gary Bozeman won the 4x400 meter relay (3:50.07).

Storm runner Wesley Ipock Wesley Ipock earned Central's lone first-place finish by taking the 1,600 meter run in 4:54.96, 18 seconds faster than his closest competitor.

Cody Heady and Shalara Wells also performed strong for Central with second-place finishes in the 100 meter dash in 12.32 and 13.64 seconds respectively. Nick Richey displayed his long-distance skills as well by finishing the 3,200 meter run in 11:15.21, good for second place.

Although Dawson Springs finished last as a team, the school boasted several great individual performances.

Dawson did the bulk of its damage in the field events. Jessica Budd led the charge by finishing first in the high jump with a leap of 4-10. Jacob Patton took second in the boys high jump. Rachel Donaldson earned third in the triple jump.

Donaldson also snagged second place in the 100 meter hurdles (:20.05) while teammate BethAnne Dickens locked up third in the 400 meter dash (1:11.26)

Overall Team Standings
1. Madisonville-North Hopkins 334
2. Webster County 277.5
3. Hopkins County Central 176
4. Trigg County 147
5. Lyon County 96
6. Muhlenberg South 74
7. Dawson Springs 59.5