PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WMDJ) – Floyd Central senior Jace Martin homered twice, driving in three runs as the Jaguars defeated Pike County Central 9-7 to advance in the 15th Region Baseball Tournament Monday evening at Stonecrest Sports Park.
Senior Kolton Crum banged out a pair of hits and drove in the go-ahead runs in the top of the sixth inning to break a 7-7 tie, sending Floyd Central to its first-ever win in 15th region tournament play.
Martin notched the win in relief of senior starter Logan Moore. Martin surrendered four runs during the Hawks rally in the fifth inning yet struck out five in 2 2/3 innings of work.
Sophomore Mason Anderson struck out three of the four batters he faced in the bottom of the seventh to earn the save.
Martin started the game taking the first pitch from Pike Central starter Trevor Holbrook deep for a solo home run, part of a three-run first inning for the Jaguars. Anderson scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Crum. Moore would reach on a single and later score on an RBI single by freshman Barrett Williams, who enjoyed three hits on the night.
The Jaguars would plate four more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Williams started the inning with a single, followed by back-to-back base hits by freshmen Luke Gibson and Brance Pennington. Williams would score on Pennington’s hit followed by an error. Gibson scored on a passed ball. Martin would hit his second homer of the night, driving in Pennington, making it 7-2 Jaguars.
After tying the game at 7-7, Crum drove home junior Grant Jenkins and Anderson with a 2-RBI double, making the score 9-7.
The Jaguars (20-13) will face Johnson Central (27-7) in the semifinals of the 15th Region Baseball Tournament scheduled for tonight (Tuesday, May 27th) weather permitting.
