Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
June 12, 2003
Section: Sports
Edition: Final
Page: D1
SEMI-STATE FOES KNOW PRESSURE WELL
NO. 1 DUNBAR FACES RALLYING RUSSELL CO.
Mike Fields, Herald-Leader Staff Writer
Paul Dunbar had to deal with the pressure of being No. 1 in the state to win the 11th Region baseball title.
Russell County had to deal with even more pressure — being behind in the late innings — to capture the 12th Region championship.
In the semifinals against Somerset, the Lakers trailed 1-0 before erupting for seven runs in the sixth to win 7-1.
In the finals against Mercer County, Russell County was down 2-0 with one out in the seventh before rallying to survive 8-2.
“It seems like we score a lot of runs in one inning,” Lakers Coach David Rexroat said with a laugh. “We find a way to win.”
Russell County (26-9) now must find a way to beat host Dunbar (36-3) in a best-of-three series that starts tonight. The Bulldogs, on a nine-game win streak, are playing with a world of confidence.
“The kids celebrated a little after we won the region, but not a whole lot because they’ve got plans to get to Applebee’s,” Dunbar Coach Mickey Marshall said, referring to next week’s state tournament at Applebee’s Park.
“We know Russell County is a tough matchup, and that we’ve got to be ready for them.”
Tonight’s opener will not be a matchup of the teams’ hard-throwing pitching stars and Mr. Baseball candidates.
Josh Ellis (9-0) will be on the mound for Dunbar, but Chris Grider (9-1) isn’t eligible to throw for Russell County. He went seven innings in Monday’s regional finals, so he must have three days rest under high school rules. He’ll pitch in the second game of the semi-state.
“I wasn’t going to have Chris go head-to-head with Ellis anyway,” Rexroat said.
Grider, who has signed with Eastern Kentucky, has allowed only four earned runs all season. He has 111 strikeouts and given up only 17 walks in 64 innings.
Ellis, who has signed with Wake Forest, has 76 K’s and 20 walks in 58 innings.
The key to the semi-state may be which team has the deeper pitching staff.
Dunbar will go with Robby Reeves (6-1) in the second game, and Matt Byzet (8-0) if a third game is necessary.
Russell County will start Ryan Thomas (4-1) tonight, and Victor Wooldridge (8-2) if there is a third game.
Thomas and Wooldridge have given the Lakers a much-needed lift after the team’s Nos. 2, 3 and 4 pitchers were lost for either disciplinary reasons or injuries.
“Ryan and Matt stepped up to give us the pitching we had to have to get where we are,” Rexroat said.
Wooldridge, usually a first baseman, and Thomas, usually a designated hitter, lead Russell County’s offense. Wooldridge is batting .417 with 30 RBI. Thomas is hitting .359 and also has 30 RBI.
Josh McGowan and Joe Huckaby also swing big bats.
Dunbar hasn’t been scoring in bunches, but just enough to get by. Dustin Morrow has been the Bulldogs’ most consistent hitter. He has a .487 average and leads the team with 39 RBI.
Craig Dunn is hitting .362 with 29 RBI, and Rob Scott is at .348 with 46 runs.
The winner advances to play either 1st Region champ Heath or 2nd Region champ Webster County in the first round state tournament Wednesday night at Applebee’s Park.
Semi-state baseball
Russell County at Paul Dunbar
Records: Russell County (26-9); Dunbar (36-3)
What: Best-of-three series
When: 6 tonight; 6 p.m. Friday; 8:30 p.m. Friday (if necessary)
Complete schedule, Page D6