Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
June 8, 2003
Section: Sports
Edition: Bluegrass
Page: C8
Memo:Baseball
11TH REGION FINALS
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: DUNBAR BLANKS LCA
Mike Fields, Herald-Leader Staff Writer
VERSAILLES — The “Mission Impossible” theme song blared from the sound system after five innings of the 11th Region baseball finals last night at Woodford County’s Chandler Field.
It would prove to be the perfect musical accompaniment to Paul Dunbar ace Josh Ellis. Lexington Christian Academy was about to find him impossible to hit.
Ellis struck out the last six batters he faced to nail down a 2-0 win over LCA in front of 1,000 fans.
“I started to taste the region title,” Ellis said. “I started feeling stronger and definitely started throwing harder.”
Ellis (9-0), who pitched a three-hitter and had nine strikeouts while beating Lexington Catholic 3-1 in the region opener on Monday, limited LCA to two hits and had nine strikeouts.
He’ll probably get the ball again in the semi-state opener when Dunbar plays host to the 12th Region winner (Mercer County or Russell County) in a best-two-out-of-three series Thursday and Friday.
“I’m glad he’s on my side,” Dunbar Coach Mickey Marshall said of Ellis. “When Josh is on the mound, our guys are so confident and relaxed, they just play super.”
LCA Coach Keith Galloway wouldn’t argue.
“Ellis showed what he’s made of,” Galloway said. “To have that much pressure on him and come through the way he did shows how special he is.”
The Bulldogs didn’t get much off Eagles pitcher Hunter Ledbetter, who also got better as the game progressed. Dunbar managed only five hits (all singles).
The Bulldogs scratched out just enough offense early. It got a run in the first when Dustin Morrow singled and eventually scored on an error. They added an insurance run in the third when Craig Dunn singled, moved to second on a sacrifice, and came home on Brett Hunt’s hit.
That 2-0 lead might as well have been 12-0 with Ellis protecting it.
“When Josh is pitching, we know we don’t need many runs,” Hunt said.
That became obvious when Ellis blew away LCA’s 2-through-7 hitters to finish off the victory.
“Josh’s junk was there all night,” catcher Davis Stanley said, “and as the game went on his heat kept coming.”
It was only Dunbar’s second shutout of the season. Its first came in the region semifinals when Matt Byzet blanked Frankfort 11-0.
Maybe we’re peaking,” Marshall said with a laugh. “Who knows?”
For LCA, last night’s loss couldn’t erase the memories of the best season in school history and its first appearance in the region finals.
“We’re proud of our 28-10 record,” Galloway said. “Most important, we’re proud of the way the kids responded all year and kept getting better.”
Dunbar, meanwhile, is two wins away from a trip across town to Applebee’s Park for the state tournament.
“It’s been a dream season so far,” Marshall said. “A lot of coaches don’t get this special chance, but we have a special chance with a special group of young men.”
Lexington Christian 000 000 0–0 2 2
Paul Dunbar 101 000 x–2 5 0
Hunter Ledbetter and Josh Rodgers. Josh Ellis and Davis Stanley. W–Ellis (9-0). L–Ledbetter (5-5).
Records–Lexington Christian 28-10; Paul Dunbar 36-3.
All-tournament team: Josh Ellis (MVP), Matt Byzet, Mark Wethington, Craig Dunn of Dunbar; Chris Denney, Zach Monroe, Tyler Oliver, Seth Hargrove of LCA; Chase Atkin, Travis Clements, Stephen Powers of Woodford County; Chris Current, Aaron Jones, Chris Amburgey of Frankfort.
Regional scores, state schedule, C19
PHOTOS BY MATT BARTON – Left: Paul Dunbar’s Rob Scott was tagged out by LCA catcher Josh Rodgers in the first inning.
Above: Josh Ellis’ two-hitter last night was the Bulldogs’ second shutout of the season.