Published: May 14, 2008 10:14 am         

Cards gun down Patriots, 2-1

South Laurel downs Lincoln Co. to make it three in a row

Little things mean so much in baseball.

Take Chris Adams’ ground out in the bottom of the fifth during Monday night’s game with Lincoln Co.

In the score book, it will just read as a 4 to 3 putout. But in the larger scheme of things, it meant so much more, as Adams moved Matthew Martin, who opened the inning with a double to center, over to third with that ground out. The next batter, Ryan Woody, flew out to center, but that was enough to score Martin to give South Laurel a 2-1 win.

“We’ve done a much better job recently in getting runners in when they are on third base,” Coach Wynn Harris said. “That’s what it is going to take come the post season.”

After losing three straight, the win Monday night was the third in a row for the Cardinals, who improved to 19-11 on the season. During the win streak, the Cards have outscored their opponents 14-1.

“That’s what I am most proud of,” Harris said. “We’ve only given up one run in the past three games. There’s a lot to be said about that.”

Kody Baker picked up the win for the Cardinals, going five innings, allowing one run on four his while striking out seven. Matthew Gilbert came in to pitch the final two innings, facing the minimum of six batters, striking out three of those.

“All of our pitchers have thrown well all season,” Harris said. “They’ve all competed well and thrown strikes. That will carry you in the post season. We just have to make sure that we execute offensively.”

The Cards took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when Matthew Peters doubled to lead off the inning, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored on a single by Michael Hammonds.

The only real mistake that Baker made came in the top of the third, when Cody Hensley took the first pitch offering from the South hurler and deposited it over the left field fence, tying the game at 1-1. Brian Riesenberg followed with a single and moved to second when the pick-off throw got away from Peters at first.

Riesenberg was bunted to third by Johnny Robles, and the next batter, Ryan Young, grounded to Luke Rakestraw at short, who fielded the ball, looked the runner back at third, then first to first for the second out of the inning. Branden Weir then drew a walk, but Baker struck out Trey Edwards to end the inning.

The Cards traveled to take on Lexington Christian last night, and will host Barbourville on Thursday. Harris said that Lexington Christian should provide tough competition for his team, something he is looking forward to.

“They will be an excellent test,” Harris said.



South Laurel 2, Lincoln Co. 1

Lincoln Co. 001 000 0—1 4 0

South Laurel 010 010 x—2 10 1