INEZ – Johnson Central built a big lead early on and the Golden Eagles went on to beat defending 15th Region champion Paintsville, 8-2, in the 57th District title matchup played at Sheldon Clark May 20.
Grant Davis doubled and drove in three runs while Hunter McCloud belted a solo home run, singled and scored twice as Johnson Central improved to 30-5. Ryan Sartin-Slone added a pair of singles and knocked in one run while scoring.
Winning pitcher Ryley Preece doubled, scored twice and added an RBI while Cody Rice singled and scored a pair of runs.
Jake Hyden doubled, walked and batted in one run for the Tigers, now 21-15. Braxton Ratliff drove in one run while Ryan Gibson and Ashton Adams both singled and scored.
Baron Ratliff was tagged with the loss.
Both teams will begin 15th Region play Saturday at Floyd Central as the Golden Eagles face the host Jaguars at 8 p.m., while the Tigers battle Lawrence County at 11 a.m.
At Inez
(57th District championship)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
PV (21-15)……000 000 2 – 2-6-2
JC (30-5)………014 003 x – 8-8-0
Pitching:
WP – Ryley Preece
LP – Baron Ratliff
Hitting: Jake Hyden 2b, bb., 1 RBI; Braxton Ratliff 1 RBI; Ryan Gibson 1b, 1r; Ashton Adams 1b, 1r, Paintsville. Grant Davis 2b, 3 RBI; Hunter McCloud solo-HR, 1b, 2r; Ryan Sartin-Slone 2-1b, 1r, 1 RBI; Ryley Preece 2b, 2r, 1 RBI; Cody Rice 1b, 2r, Johnson Central.