Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
June 6, 2003
Section: Sports
Edition: Final
Page: D1
LCA STUNS WOODFORD CO. WITH TRIPLE PLAY
DUNBAR WHIPS FRANKFORT 11-0 FOR THIRD TRIP TO FINALS
Mike Fields, Herald-Leader Staff Writer
VERSAILLES — Lexington Christian Academy used that rarest of defensive gems — a triple play — and a couple of home runs to get by host Woodford County 5-1 in the 11th Region baseball semifinals last night.
The victory puts the Eagles in Saturday’s regional championship game against No. 1 Paul Dunbar. The Bulldogs rolled over Frankfort 11-0 in last night’s opener.
It will be LCA’s first trip to the region finals, and Dunbar’s third. The Bulldogs lost twice in title games to Lexington Catholic in the 1990s.
Dunbar ace Josh Ellis (8-0), who beat Catholic in Monday’s regional opener, will be back on the mound against LCA in the finals.
The Eagles will go with Hunter Ledbetter (5-4).
Eagles freshman Zach Monroe, who pounded a two-run homer last night, said facing the top-ranked team in the state and arguably the best pitcher “wouldn’t be our first pick. But it’s nothing that scares us.”
Seth Hargrove had a solo homer and scored two of LCA’s runs last night, and he also had a hand in the triple play.
“That was something,” he said.
It came at a crucial time. Down 5-1 in the sixth, Woodford County’s first two batters reached base — Stefan Lewis on a walk and Chase Atkin on a single.
Stephen Powers then hit a line shot that looked like it might rocket over the head of LCA shortstop Josh Kheradmand. But Kheradmand made a leaping stab of the ball, and fired to first to double-up Atkin. Lewis, meanwhile, tried to scamper to third, but Hargrove, the Eagles’ first baseman, gunned him down.
LCA Coach Keith Galloway said he had never been involved in a triple play before as a player or a coach. “It was big,” he said. “I thought it pretty much took the life out of Woodford County the last two innings.”
If the ball had cleared Kheradmand’s glove, one run would have scored and the Yellowjackets would have had runners on first and third.
“We’re thankful Josh’s athleticism allowed him to go up and get the ball,” Galloway said, “and Seth had the presence of mind to get the runner going to third.”
Paul Dunbar 11, Frankfort 0: The Bulldogs made quick work of Frankfort thanks to an eight-run third inning.
They sent 13 batters to the plate. Seven of them collected hits, including Mark Wethington’s two-run double. Craig Dunn had a pair of singles in the inning.
Dunbar pitcher Matt Byzet (8-0) had little trouble. He gave up two hits, struck out six and retired 12 of the last 13 Panthers he faced.
“In my opinion, we’ve got the best pitching staff in the state,” senior shortstop Rob Scott said.
Dunbar has five post-season victories and its pitchers have worked five complete games.
The Bulldogs’ offense isn’t too shabby, either, with Scott providing the spark.
He did it yesterday by reaching on a walk, error and single. He scored twice, pushing his single-season school-record to 45 runs in 38 games.
It was a rough day for Frankfort’s Chris and Will Current. The brothers attended the funeral of their grandfather, Tommy Current Jr., before coming to Chandler Field to play in the semifinals.
Lexington Christian 001 211 0 — 5 5 0
Woodford County 100 000 0 — 1 5 0
Robert Scates, Jimmy Stanley (5) and Josh Rodgers. Jesse Hutter and Ben Barnard. WP–Scates. LP–Hutter. 2B–Seth Hargrove (LCA); Josh Kheradmand (LCA). HR–Zach Monroe (LCA), Seth Hargrove (LCA).
Records–Lexington Christian 29-9; Woodford County 21-15
Paul Dunbar 218 00 — 11 11 0
Frankfort 000 00 — 0 2 4
Matt Byzet and Davis Stanley. Chris Amburgey, Chris Current (3) and Cam Howell. WP–Byzet. LP–Amburgey. 2B–Mark Wethington (PD).
Records–Dunbar 35-3; Frankfort 15-18.
11th Region baseball
At Woodford County’s
Chandler Field
Finals: Paul Dunbar (35-3) vs. Lexington Christian (29-9), Saturday, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $5
(1) – JOSEPH REY AU
Will Current of Frankfort was tagged out at home by Dunbar catcher Davis Stanley in the first inning. Frankfort was shut out by the Bulldogs in the 11th Region baseball semifinals last night.
(2) – JOSEPH REY AU
Seth Hargrove of Lexington Christian scored ahead of the throw to Woodford County’s Jesse Hunter in the third inning of LCA’s 5-1 win.