Strong fifth for Ohio County leads to early postseason exit for Apollo – The Owensboro Times

Whereas Apollo bought off to a sizzling begin, an offensive eruption midway by the ballgame helped Ohio County safe a 6-5 win and transfer on to the third Area Semifinals on Sunday.

It was the Eagles who bought on the board first on Sunday, with junior Aiden Wells driving in senior Nick Judd following his two-out stroll and steal to take a 1-0 lead within the high of the primary. Judd took that momentum to the mound within the backside half of the inning, getting three straight strikeouts to hold their lead into the second.

He stayed sizzling after a scoreless high of the second, placing out the facet once more to ship Apollo into the third up 1-0. The Eagles then used some trickery on the basepaths so as to add one other run to their lead.

Bowman went to steal second with runners on the corners and when junior Carter Contratto made a beeline for dwelling, the throw was lower off for a play on the plate and it wasn’t caught. Contratto slid in safely to make it 2-0, whereas Bowman bought his seventieth steal to make him the all-time stolen bases chief at Apollo.

Judd had remained just about untouched within the third as effectively, getting his seventh strikeout and never permitting a single hit by three. However Ohio County bought an infield single from junior Matthew Smith and bought a rally going to begin the underside of the fourth.

Smith then stole second and third, however sophomore Easton Blandford went to cowl third on the try and junior Jaylen Walker positioned a bunt single down the third-base line to place runners on the corners with no outs. Shortly after, senior Clayton Goff was walked to load the bases.

Judd’s second stroll of the day adopted, permitting Ohio County to get its first run of the sport. A handed ball the next at-bat allowed a run to attain to knot issues up at 2-2, earlier than they deliberately walked junior Ashten Farris to load the bases once more.

Junior Derek Bradley then completely executed a security squeeze, placing Ohio County forward 3-2 with one out and runners in scoring place. Judd sat down Hoskins the next at-bat for his eighth strikeout of the day, however sophomore Graydon Barnard singled to middle shortly after to provide Ohio County a 5-2 lead.

Apollo responded effectively although, discovering themselves with runners in scoring place after a pair of doubles early within the fifth. Bowman then despatched one to left for a sacrifice fly, however they tried to get Cook dinner at second on the throw again in.

It sailed, permitting Cook dinner to make all of it the best way dwelling and slide in safely to chop the Eagles deficit to 5-4 going into the underside of the fifth. Whereas Ohio County wasn’t capable of get something within the fifth, they had been in a position so as to add onto their lead within the backside of the sixth.

A leadoff single and a two-out stroll had runners on the corners for Ohio County after which sophomore Will Strode made a pickoff try at first. They had been capable of get the runner at first, however not earlier than Goff crossed dwelling to take a 6-4 lead into the seventh.

Apollo wasn’t going away although, getting back-to-back singles to begin the highest of the seventh. Cook dinner bunted one again on the pitcher the next at-bat, however the third baseman didn’t cowl the bottom appropriately and what would’ve turned out to be a pleasant play by Farris left the bases loaded for Bowman with one out.

Bowman would pop one as much as quick proper subject the place Smith would catch it and throw it dwelling attempting to get the runner on the plate. Freshman Garrett Lanham—who entered the sport as a courtesy runner for Strode—scored safely, however Holder tried to advance to 3rd on the play.

The throw to 3rd was on the cash, however Holder was in safely—till he overran the bottom. He was tagged and dominated out at third, thus making for a wild ending to a 6-5 first spherical loss for Apollo.

After such a tough begin to the sport for Ohio County, it was an infield single that sparked the comeback and Head Coach Ben Everley stated that typically it’s one thing small that may begin a shift in momentum.

“Baseball is a humorous sport,” Everley stated. “Generally all it takes is simply someone, someone to do one thing and issues get contagious. I believed we stored placing stress on them with the bunts and various things however actually, our pitcher stored battling. He didn’t let that [adversity] have an effect on him.”

Barnard led the best way on the plate for Ohio County with two RBIs, whereas Gregory and Bradley had one every. Farris battled by adversity all through the sport and Everley stated it was his crew’s expertise that confirmed late to seize the win.

“Nearly all of these children performed final yr and after I say performed, I imply they performed large varsity innings…” Everley stated. “I noticed some heads drop a bit bit simply because we couldn’t put the bat on the ball, however by no means to the purpose that I used to be involved. I felt like `we’re gonna make a run, however is it going to be sufficiently big?”

Apollo Head Coach Mason Head additionally complimented Farris on his efficiency, because the junior allowed 4 earned runs on 9 hits, whereas strolling one stroll and placing out six in seven innings.

“Tip your cap to Farris, coach Everley,” Head stated. “Ohio County performed an excellent sport. They caught to their gameplan, they executed effectively and Farris threw an amazing sport. As he has each single time I’ve seen him for the previous three years. He’s an excellent pitcher.”

After Judd’s sturdy begin, he closed out his begin having given up 5 earned runs on three hits, whereas strolling three and placing out eight. Payne dealt with an inning and a 3rd out of the bullpen, permitting one earned run on one hit whereas placing out one, whereas Strode pitched two-thirds of an inning practically untouched outdoors of a stroll.

On the plate it was Bowman who led the best way with a pair of RBIs whereas cementing himself within the Eagles historical past books another time, whereas Wells adopted with one RBI. Regardless of the struggles they confronted within the sport, Head believed they’d battle and was happy with his crew’s efforts.

“We’ve been behind just a few occasions this yr and we’ve all the time fought again and we fought again at present,” Head stated. “Simply fell in need of the mark. I all the time like my guys’ probabilities, it doesn’t matter what the rating is.”

Apollo’s season got here to an finish within the first spherical of the third area match, proudly owning a 20-14 total document. However earlier than the 2022 marketing campaign got here to a detailed for the Eagles, Head made certain to go with his seniors and ensure they knew they had been appreciated for all they’ve contributed to this system.

“Harrison’s offensive manufacturing speaks for itself,” Head stated. “Dayton’s had an amazing senior yr. He was behind an enormous in Dan St. Clair for 3 years… When he bought the prospect to play he hit .400. I feel Judd’s been invaluable to our program’s success for 5 years. Simply all the time has been ‘Mr. Dependable’ for us. Then Tyler Payne, regardless of not getting a complete lot of enjoying time, might be probably the greatest leaders we have now in our program and that I’ve had in our 5 years right here… They’ll all 4 achieve success of their numerous walks of life and I’m actually trying ahead to seeing what’s subsequent for them and attending to be aside of their lives in no matter capability that appears like.”