Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
June 3, 2003
Section: Sports
Edition: Final
Page: D1
DUNBAR’S ELLIS REPAYS CATHOLIC
BULLDOGS ELIMINATE KNIGHTS
UNBEATEN RIGHT-HANDER THROWS THREE-HITTER
Mike Fields, Herald-Leader Staff Writer
VERSAILLES — On June 2, 1999, Paul Dunbar lost to Lexington Catholic in the 11th Region baseball finals. A.J. Ellis gave up a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, and the Bulldogs fell 5-4 in extra innings.
Last night, exactly four years later, Ellis was among more than 2,000 fans who crowded Chandler Field to watch Josh Ellis, his brother, throw a three-hitter and lead No. 1 Dunbar to a 3-1 victory over No. 2 Lexington Catholic in the first round of the regional tournament.
“A.J. reminded me of ’99 this week,” Josh said. “He told me it was time for the Ellis boys to get revenge.
“It was unbelievable out there tonight. It was just so much fun. Everything was working for me.”
Dunbar advances to the semifinals against Frankfort, which beat Model 10-0 in yesterday’s opener.
While Ellis’ biting breaking ball and 88 mph fastball were quieting Catholic’s hitters, Craig Dunn was making noise with his bat for the Bulldogs.
Dunn’s two-run homer in the third gave Ellis all the support he needed. Davis Stanley added insurance with an RBI double in the fourth.
“We never need many runs when Josh is on the mound,” Dunn said.
Ellis, who is 8-0 this season after knee surgery during the winter, was in command most of the night. He did have some trouble in the fifth when he gave up a double to Jeremy Wilson, and an RBI single to Joe Boneau.
Catholic then loaded the bases with two outs, but Ellis escaped with a strikeout.
“My palms started sweating a little, but Josh has battled out of spots like that all year,” Dunn said.
Ellis struck out nine, walked two and hit two batters.
“Josh showed a lot of people tonight why he’s a Mr. Baseball candidate,” Coach Mickey Marshall said.
Catholic (27-4) got a strong pitching performance of its own from sophomore Taylor Brooks. He allowed Dunbar only four hits, struck out seven and walked two.
“He pitched like a senior, not a sophomore,” Knights Coach Rodney Martin said. “I’m proud of the way we played, the way we bounced back after the district final (a 12-0 loss to Lexington Christian).”
Catholic got some dazzling defense from second baseman Matt Menard and shortstop Michael DeLuca.
But on this night, Ellis was too overpowering. He showed that when he got a strikeout to end Catholic’s bases-loaded threat.
“That’s what you do when you’re one of the best pitchers in the state,” Martin said.
Frankfort 10, Model 0: The Panthers, who won their first district title in 14 years and made the region for the first time since 1993, breezed to victory. They collected 13 hits and 10 runs in four at-bats to beat Model by the mercy rule.
“We’ve got six seniors, and having those older guys helps a lot,” Frankfort Coach Joe Peach said. “A lot of them played basketball, so they’re used to pressure games.”
Aaron Jones did the job on the mound. He faced only 16 batters — one over the minimum. He gave up two hits, struck out five and walked none.
Chris Amburgey led the offense. He had three hits and drove in three runs. Chris Current, Will Current, Joey Hyatt and Jared Hack had two hits apiece.
Amburgey said Frankfort’s upset of Franklin County in the district semifinals gave the players “the highest expectations.”
Frankfort lost to region semifinal opponent Dunbar twice this season.
Lexington Catholic 000 010 0–1 3 1
Paul Dunbar 002 100 0–3 4 0
Taylor Brooks and Michael Rumpke. Josh Ellis and Davis Stanley. W–Ellis. L–Brooks. 2B–Stanley (D); Jeremy Wilson (LC). HR–Craig Dunn (D). Records–Lexington Catholic 27-4; Dunbar 34-3
Model 000 00–0 2 1
Frankfort 432 1x–10 13 0
Anthony Williams, Nick Matthews (4) and Andy Smith. Aaron Jones and Cam Howell. W–Jones. L–Williams. 2B–Chris Amburgey (F). Records–Model 18-18; Frankfort 15-17
11th Region Baseball
At Woodford County’s Chandler Field
Yesterday’s games
Frankfort 10 Model 0
Paul Dunbar 3 Lex. Catholic 1
Today’s games
5:30 p.m. — Madison Central (20-12) vs. Woodford County (20-14), 5:30
8 — Lexington Christian (27-9) vs. Henry Clay (19-10)
(1) by HOBIE HILER – Dunbar’s Craig Dunn belted a two-run home run in the third inning, providing all the offensive support Bulldogs pitcher Josh Ellis needed. “We never need many runs when Josh is on the mound,” Dunn said.
(2) by HOBIE HILER – Dunbar pitcher Josh Ellis celebrated a fifth-inning strikeout last night, one of seven strikeouts the senior recorded against Lexington Catholic last night. “It was just so much fun,” Ellis said. “Everything was working for me.”