Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
June 18, 2003
Section: Sports
Edition: Final
Page: D1
STATE BASEBALL SHAPES UP AS PITCHERS’ DUEL
NEW TOURNAMENT FORMAT, INNINGS LIMITS COULD FACTOR IN OUTCOME
Mike Fields, Herald-Leader Staff Writer
The state baseball tournament has a new twist and a new title, but the same old truism applies: Whoever gets the best pitching will be crowned champion Saturday night at Applebee’s Park.
“Pitching is always the key in baseball,” Paul Dunbar Coach Mickey Marshall said. “That never changes.”
The retooled format has eight teams instead of four, and the event — renamed the Big Blue Nation/KHSAA State Baseball Tournament — has seven games spread over four days instead of three games in two days.
Dunbar (38-4) and LaRue County (34-3), which were No. 1 and No. 5 in the last regular-season coaches’ poll, are obvious favorites. They not only have gaudy records and rankings, they’ve also got strong pitching.
Dunbar has a 1.67 team earned run average, led by Josh Ellis (10-0) and Matt Byzet (9-0).
LaRue County has a 1.79 team ERA, led by Adam Masterson (12-0) and Joseph Cravens (8-0).
But the other six teams in the tournament have a pitcher capable of locking down an opponent, too: Scott Green of Male, Steven Blevins of Lawrence County, Ryne Mantooth of Apollo, Aaron Johnson of Webster County, Clint Brodsky of Boone County and Aaron Anderkin of Rockcastle County.
High school rules that limit the number of innings a pitcher can work could have a big influence on who wins the title.
If a pitcher works in three to five innings, he must have one day’s rest. If he pitches in six innings, he must rest two days. If he pitches in seven, he must rest three days.
That means if Dunbar is able to beat Webster County tonight with Ellis going no more than six innings, he could return to the mound for Saturday’s final.
LaRue County’s first-round game isn’t until Thursday, so Masterson would have to go no more than five innings for him to be eligible to pitch again Saturday.
Male Coach Todd Driskell will do his best to keep his ace, Green, from using up all his innings in the Bulldogs’ first-round game Thursday. “For us to have a legitimate chance to win it all, we’ll probably need Scott on Saturday,” Driskell said.
LaRue County Coach Eric Hughes said there’s no such thing as a can’t-miss favorite in the tournament.
“When you get this far, everybody’s got a chance,” he said.
Here’s a look at the teams:
Apollo: The Eagles know how to scratch out wins. In semi-state play, they had a total of four hits in two games, but still swept Warren Central.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to hit the ball better this week,” Coach Bob Mantooth said.
The Eagles’ offense is sparked by lead-off man Jeff Martin (.389). Ryne Mantooth, the coach’s son, is expected to start on the mound against Lawrence County.
Apollo’s only other state tournament appearance was in the 1994 final four. That was the year Bob Mantooth chose to save unbeaten ace Brad Wilkerson (now an outfielder with the Montreal Expos) for the finals, but the Eagles lost to Corbin in the semifinals.
Lawrence County: Since starting the season 7-5, the Bulldogs have gone 22-4 to end Boyd County’s region domination and make their first state tournament.
Coach Randy Keeton raves about Blevins, his sophomore star who is 10-1 pitching and is the team’s top hitter (.410). “He’s going to be one of the best players in the state the next couple years,” Keeton said.
Webster County: This is the Trojans’ third consecutive trip to the state tournament, so they’re loaded with experience.
Brock Dunbar, Bryce Gibson and Micah Dunn started for Webster County when it lost to Ballard in the 2001 semifinals and to Covington Catholic in last year’s semifinals. Aaron Johnson, Thad Knight and Lee Brinkley also started in the 2002 final four.
“Last year at Applebee’s, we got caught up a little bit in the carnival atmosphere, with people dancing on the dugouts and stuff,” Willard said. “Maybe we won’t look like a deer caught in the headlights this time.”
The Trojans are led by batterymates Johnson (pitcher) and Gibson (catcher). They not only lead the team in hitting, they’re also co-valedictorians of their senior class with matching 4.0 GPA’s.
Dunbar: A talented pitching staff headed by Ellis, Byzet and Robby Reeves, who are a combined 25-1, is the biggest reason the Bulldogs are in their first state tournament.
But they’ve also got clutch players in second baseman Craig Dunn and first baseman Dustin Morrow. Morrow leads the team in batting average (.468) and RBI (41), but Dunn (.358) delivered the big hits in big playoff wins over Lexington Catholic and Russell County.
“Reggie Jackson is Mr. October, but Craig Dunn is Mr. June,” Marshall said.
Male: Green, a 6-foot-7 junior with a 7-2 record, is considered the best pro prospect in the state. He’s been overpowering lately, including a perfect game against Anderson County in the semi-state.
“He’s been on a roll,” Driskell said. “In his last 16 innings he has 31 strikeouts, no walks, and hasn’t allowed an earned run.”
The Bulldogs’ offense is led by Brandon Hogan (.337) and Justin Middleton (.333).
Driskell said this is Male’s first state tournament in 60 years.
Rockcastle County: The Rockets have already had a big week in Lexington. Hazard beat Rockcastle County in the first game of the semi-state at Corbin, then rainy weather put the tournament on hold. They relocated to Lexington Catholic’s artificial-turf field on Monday, and the Rockets responded with a rain-interrupted double-header sweep.
“Talk about nerve-wracking,” Coach J.D. Bussell said.
Monday’s finish means Rockcastle County ace Anderkin won’t be eligible to pitch until Friday. Freshman Colby Brown will get the ball for the first-round game against Male, which beat the Rockets 3-1 in extra innings during the season.
Boone County: In 41 innings of regional and semi-state play, Boone County pitchers surrendered only one run. “Our pitching and defense have been there all year,” Coach Matt Wilhoite said. “If we play like we’re capable, we’ve got as good a shot as anybody.”
Brodsky (9-1) and Thomas Adkins (9-1) have been a potent 1-2 punch in helping the Rebels to their first state tournament.
Lead-off hitter Matt Killion has big numbers: .456 average, 36 runs, 33 RBI and 10 homers.
LaRue County: The Hawks, in their first state tournament, have the best catcher in the state in Jordan Newton. The Western Kentucky signee is batting .471 with 32 RBI, eight homers and 28 stolen bases.
“He’s got the total package,” Hughes said.
Senior Bryan Allen, with a .367 average and 51 RBI, has been effective hitting clean-up behind Newton.
Masterson is the ace of the staff. He’s not a power pitcher, but he has 88 strikeouts in 70 innings.
There’s no guarantee Masterson will pitch LaRue County’s opener. “We play the last (first-round) game, so we’ll have the opportunity to see what happens with everybody else,” Hughes said. “So we’re not 100 percent sure we’ll throw Adam.”
State baseball tournament
When: Starts today
Where: Applebee’s Park
Championship: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Complete schedule, Page D6
MATT BARTON – Paul Dunbar pitcher Matt Byzet held off Henry Clay in a 2-1 win in the 43rd District finals. Byzet is 9-0, and the Bulldogs have a team earned run average of 1.67.