In a game where a few plays made a difference, Paintsville combined the small ball and long ball effectively to beat Christian County 3-1 Friday in the opening round of the KHSAA State Baseball Tournament in Lexington.
The teams combined for just five hits as Christian County’s Wyatt Stevenson and Paintsville’s Mason Moore had things in control on the mound for their respective teams.
Stevenson accounted for Christian County’s lone run in the first inning when he sent a 3-2 pitch over the right field fence for a 1-0 lead. The Colonels looked to add more in the frame as Jase Polley walked and Lane Diuguid singled. Cameron Crider followed with a line drive right at the Tiger centerfielder to end the threat. Crider’s shot was one of several that found the Tiger defense throughout the game.
Paintsville took the lead in the bottom of the first when Tanner Smith worked a walk and Seth Williams followed with a two-run home run to right field off Stevenson. Both Williams and Stevenson are University of Louisville commits.
Christian County started a rally in the third inning when Austin Fields singled, and Eric Silvy walked. However, the next three Colonels were retired on fly balls to end the inning. No Colonel would reach base again as Moore, a freshman, retired the final 15 batters of the game for the 15th Region champions.
Stevenson also settled down after the first inning homer. He set down 13 of the next 14 batters until Paintsville tacked on a run in the sixth inning without the benefit of a hit. A hit batter, two stolen bases, and a throwing error plated a vital insurance run.
The Colonel junior allowed just two hits and two earned runs while striking out eight and walking just two.
Moore allowed three Colonel hits and struck out four. He walked just two.
Christian County, making their first state tournament appearance in a decade, sees their season end with a record of 20-13. The Colonel lose one senior – catcher Cameron Crider – to graduation.
Paintsville (26-12) moves on to Saturday’s quarterfinals where they will play Highlands.
