Breds push streak to 9

In last weekends Frank Shoop Invitational on the Hilltop, the Harrison County Thorobreds (15-3) posted big wins over Estill County and North Laurel before falling in a lop-sided 17-3 contest to the ninth-ranked in the state Lexington Christian Academy Eagles (13-3) in the championship.

On Thursday, the Breds used a five-run third inning to grab a 12-3 win over the previously undefeated Estill County Engineers (11-2). Sophomore Jared Martin struck out six batters but gave up three runs, two coming on solo home runs in the first and fourth innings, in six innings of work. Offensively the Breds were led by sophomore Josh Moss who went three for three at the plate with two singles and a double, a stolen base, and three runs scored.

In the second round on Friday, the Breds only needed five and a half innings to put a 12-1 beating on the North Laurel Jaguars (6-9). Sophomore Matthew Dye gave up one run in the first inning, five hits, and walked two batters while striking out three. Harrison County put up nine hits and eight runs in a big bottom-half of the second inning to take the commanding lead.

In Saturdays championship game against LCA, Harrison County struggled mightily both on the mound and at the plate. Harrison County pitchers gave up a combined 15 hits, four walks, and 17 runs. The Eagles scored five runs in the second inning and six in the third to take complete control of the game and to dispatch of the Breds in five innings.

Perhaps the lone bright spot for the Breds was a solo home run off the bat of Moss in the first inning.

Jared Martin scored after being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning and junior Bobby Feeback scored on a single by sophomore Christian Chasteen in the fifth inning to account for the three Harrison County runs.

On Monday, senior pitcher Brandon Martin picked up his fifth win of the season in a 1-0 complete game shutout of the Powell County Pirates (12-5). Martin struck out seven, bringing his season total to 41, gave up three hits, and walked only one batter while throwing 87 pitches on the game.

Breds senior Beau Sanders was batted in by a single from freshman Shane Fowler after hitting safely and stealing second base in the second inning.

On Tuesday, the Breds traveled to Maysville to take on the Mason County Royals (5-12). A six-run second inning, powered by a Beau Sanders grand slam with two outs, gave the Breds an 8-2 lead on their way to an 11-5 victory. Jared Martin scored two runs and recorded three stolen bases. The Breds also defeated the Royals by a score of 10-0 in Cynthiana on April 10.

For the second weekend in a row the Breds will be hosting a tournament on the Hilltop. In the first round of the McDonalds Classic tonight, Harrison County will face off against the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (12-6) at 5:15 p.m. Tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., the Breds will take the field against the East Carter Raiders (14-5), and on Saturday Newport Central Catholic and East Carter will square off at 1:15 p.m.