Dragons clinch

Central comes back from early deficit to win

By Rob Herbst, rherbst@bgdailynews.com — 270-783-3238

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Whatever Warren Central baseball coach Shane Humphrey said to the Dragons worked.

Central turned a 2-1 fifth-inning deficit into a 13-2 mercy-rule victory in a District 14 showdown at Greenwood on Monday. With its win, the Dragons (13-8 overall, 5-0 District 14) wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the upcoming District 14 Tournament.

But the Dragons needed a little motivation to clinch the top spot. After Central mired through the first few innings, Humphrey had a few words for his team.

It took a little bit of a motivational speech to get them going, Humphrey said. We just looked flat and just faced an uphill climb.

After Humphrey spoke, Central responded. The Dragons scored 12 runs over the final two innings.

They sent 13 players to the plate in the sixth inning and received a three-run double from Chase Goff, plus a two-run triple and single from Matt Boyd and Seth Turberville.

It took something to get us going, Goff said. We finally started hitting and taking what Greenwood gave us.

The Gators have now lost five of their last six, but were in good shape to end their struggles. It scored single runs in the second and third innings when Jon Cardwell scored on an error and Bobby Reynolds scored on Brandon Cassadys sacrifice groundout.

But Central took a 3-2 lead in the fifth when Nick Jewell laced a two-run single through a drawn-in infield.

Greenwood (10-13, 1-5) had an opportunity to get out of the inning with a one-run hole, but committed a two-out two-run infield error and fell behind 5-2. GHS first baseman Justin Basham fielded Turbervilles groundball but threw low as pitcher Tyler Jones covered first.

For four innings, we controlled the pace of the game, Greenwood coach Chris Decker said. Then we faced the least little bit of adversity and were done.

Jones threw five innings and gave up seven runs on six hits and five walks.

Warren Central starting pitcher Kyle Staude earned victory, giving up two runs, five hits and three walks.

Staude struck out five Gators.

He kept us in the game before our bats heated up, Humphrey said. Sometimes it takes him a couple of innings before he gets going.

Central earned the regular-season sweep over the Gators, but will face GHS at least one more time in the opening round of the District 14 Tournament at 7:45 p.m. on May 23. Warren East and tourney host Bowling Green will meet in the other matchup at 5 p.m. on May 23. The championship is set for 6 p.m., May 24.

Having the No. 1 seed doesnt mean the Dragons are a lock for the Fourth Region Tournament. Central held the top spot in last years tournament, but fell to Warren East in the opening round.

It doesnt mean jack, Humphrey said. We learned that last year. You have to be playing your best baseball at the end of the season.

Both teams return to action today. Central hosts Warren East at 4:30 p.m. and Greenwood visits Grayson County at 5:30 p.m.

Warren Central 001 048 – 13 11 2

Greenwood 011 000 – 2 5 3

W: Staude L: Jones

Warren East 10, Bowling Green 6

Warren Easts Joe Grinstead was 3-for-5 with a home run as the Raiders defeated host Bowling Green 10-6 Tuesday.

The victory wrapped up the No. 2 seed for the Raiders (14-7, 4-1) in the upcoming District 14 Tournament. Bowling Green (5-11, 2-4) will be the No. 3 seed.

Nick Hampton had a two-run homer for the Purples. John Lightfoot earned the victory on the mound for East.

East visits Warren Central at 4:30 p.m. today while Bowling Green travels to Hopkinsville at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Warren East 220 400 2 – 10 8 4

Bowling Green 010 014 0 – 6 9 5

W: Lightfoot L: Miller

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