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