Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
June 2, 2003
Section: Sports
Edition: Final
Page: D3
Memo:HIGH SCHOOL
STATE’S TOP TEAMS GET FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP
NO. 1 PAUL DUNBAR, NO. 2 CATHOLIC TO LET ACES DECIDE FATE
Mike Fields, Herald-Leader Staff Writer
Paul Dunbar and Lexington Catholic, ranked No.1 and No. 2 in the state in the final regular-season baseball poll, will face off in the first round of the 11th Region Tournament tonight.
“Like the old saying, ‘You’ve got to beat the best to be the best,'” Dunbar Coach Mickey Marshall said after his top-rated Bulldogs were paired against Catholic in yesterday’s regional draw.
“It makes his decision easy and my decision easy. We’ll both go with our aces, and whoever wins will feel proud, not cheated.”
Dunbar (33-3), 43rd District champs, will send Josh Ellis to the mound. The senior right-hander is 7-0 after coming back from knee surgery over the winter.
Catholic (27-3), which lost to Lexington Christian 12-0 in the 42nd District final, will pitch sophomore right-hander Taylor Brooks. He’s 6-0 this spring.
“I guess the way the rankings are adds something to it,” Knights Coach Rodney Martin said. “Dunbar has a dominant pitching staff, so we know what we’re up against.”
LCA (27-9), which made it to the region semifinals last year, will face Henry Clay (19-10) in first-round play Tuesday.
The Eagles beat Henry Clay a couple of weeks ago.
“When you draw somebody out of the 43rd, you know you’ve got a strong challenge,” LCA Coach Keith Galloway said.
“But having been in the region last year, our key nucleus has experienced it before. And the kids who haven’t experienced it are excited, and I think they’ll embrace the environment.”
The 11th Region winner advances to semi-state play where it will meet the 12th Region champ in a best-of-three series.
11th Region champs
Since 1982
Year Winner
2002 Lexington Catholic
2001 Franklin County
2000 Henry Clay
1999 Lexington Catholic
1998 Lafayette
1997 Lafayette
1996 Lafayette
1995 Lexington Catholic
1994 Lexington Catholic
1993 Madison Central
1992 Lafayette
1991 Madison Central
1990 Tates Creek
1989 Lafayette
1988 Lafayette
1987 Henry Clay
1986 Tates Creek
1985 Henry Clay
1984 Lafayette
1983 Madison Central
1982 Madison Central
11th Region Baseball
At Woodford County’s Chandler Field
Tickets: $5
Today — Frankfort (14-17) vs. Model (18-17), 5:30; Paul Dunbar (33-3) vs. Lexington Catholic (27-3), 8.
Tuesday — Madison Central (20-12) vs. Woodford County (20-14), 5:30; Lexington Christian (27-9) vs. Henry Clay (19-10), 8.
Wednesday — Semifinals, 5:30 and 8.
Thursday — Finals, 7
(1) – Ellis
(2) – Brooks