Langley, Ky — After a four year drought Lawrence Co. ( 35-5 ) Baseball is once again the king of the 15th Region after a 12-7 heated victory over Johnson Central ( 32-6 ) Tuesday night at Floyd Central High School in the Championship game.
2019 15th Region Champions
Juniors Tyler Maynard, Jackson Feltner, CJ Fairchild, Sam Collinsworth
Sophomores Jacob Fletcher, Dylan Wheeler, Ethan Whitt, Nick Collinsworth, Jackson Mathieu
Freshman Bryce Blevins, Brayden Maynard, Mo Chicko, Brody Diamond
8th Grade Jake Derifield, Gage Meek, Dylan Whitt, Abner Collinsworth, Ryan Marcum
Coaches Travis Feltner, Jackie Holt, Steve Blevins, Matt Maynard, Josh Reed, Bulldog Vanhoose
Johnson Central scored a run in the top of the first and Lawrence Co. answered right back with a 2 spot behind a Jackson Feltner sacrifice fly that scored CJ Fairchild who walked to start the game along with a Bryce Blevins two out single after a Tyler Maynard double to make it 2-1.
In the second frame the Dawgs scored three more times to extend the lead as Lucas Maynard hit a leadoff triple and scored on a Jacob Fletcher single, CJ Fairchild walked and Austin Roe brought in both with a double into the right center gap to make it 5-1.
CJ Fairchild hit Home run #9 a three run no doubter and Jackson Feltner hit Home run #14 a two run bomb in a very entertaining six run third inning to put the Dawgs ahead 10-1, Tyler Maynard was hit by a pitch after the Feltner dinger and would come around to score in a Bryce Blevins single to make it 11-1 heading to the fourth inning.
The Dawgs hoisting the trophy as future Dawgs look on.
Johnson Central hit 2 Home runs in the 4th inning to make it 11-5. In the bottom of the inning CJ Fairchild singled with two outs, stole second and scored when Austin Roe singled down the right field line to make it 12-5.
Johnson Central scored 2 runs in the seventh inning before Bryce Blevins induced a fly ball to Hunter Crum to set off a wild celebration in the middle of the diamond.
Bryce Blevins went the distance on the mound to improve to 7-1 on the season he struck out 3, walked 2 and allowed 8 hits.
The Bulldogs finished with 12 hits and were led by Fairchild who had 3 hits, 3 RBIs and scored 4 runs, Roe 2 hits and 3 RBIs, Feltner 3 RBIs, Blevins 2 hits and 2 RBIs, Tyler Maynard 2 doubles and 2 runs scored, Jacob Fletcher 1 hit 2 runs scored and 1 knocked in, Lucas Maynard triple and run scored, Ethan Whitt scored a run.
15th Region All Tournament team
Since moving to the 15th Region the Bulldogs are a perfect 4-4 when the Tournament is played in Floyd Co. 2008 Prestonsburg, 2011, Prestonsburg, 2015 Prestonsburg and 2019 Floyd Central. They also won titles in the 16th in 2003, 1995 and 1986.
The Dawgs who have won 8 straight games will play the 16th Region Champion Rowan Co. Vikings ( 38-3 ) Saturday at Noon the game will be played at Morehead St. University in the First Round of the Whitaker Bank /KHSAA State Tournament.
Rowan Co. has won 30 games in a row and haven’t lost since April the 2nd against 10th Region Champion Montgomery Co. 6-1.
SEE STATE AND SEMI STATE BRACKET HERE
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Travis Feltner
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… That’s sounds really good to hear you say 15th Region Champions with a victory over Johnson Central. Anytime I have a platform to say it, truly from the bottom of my heart I want to thank god for where he has placed me the blessings he has gave me and my family. It is an awesome feeling. To be able to be a part of something special that we have been able to build with a bunch of other people. I don’t play I don’t get an at bat all we try to mold these young guys to work together and it is an awesome feeling when it culminates in a Region title especially against those guys.”
“… I told our guys to enjoy because this doesn’t happen every year. Our guys are the hardest working kids in our county and I would put them up against anyone around. They are a lot of good programs around us and Johnson Central is one of them. We were in the weight room the first week of school and I didn’t have to get on to them at all they were there at 6 am working to get better three days a week.
“… I am happy for our kids they had an edge and they were motivated because in this Region our kids are not well respected. We have kids that have broke school records and top guys in the state in several categories and can’t get a sniff of anything in the 15th but that’s ok because the 15th Region Trophy is headed back to Louisa where it belongs.”
Bulldog Senior Hunter Crum
PLAYERS COMMENTS
“ I was really wanting the ball hit to me, I was hoping to make a diving catch but I will settle for a pop up. I knew when I squeezed it in my glove I was headed for a Dawg pile. That’s the fastest I have ever ran.”
Bulldog Senior Austin Roe
“ It’s a surreal feeling right now, especially to beat a juggernaut like Johnson Central and to put 12 runs on them is an awesome feeling. It feels really good and now we might gain some respect for the name across our chest. To beat Paintsville, Pikeville and Johnson Central to win the Region is unbelievable.”
Bulldog Junior Jackson Feltner
“ The two Home Runs in the third inning to stretch out our lead was like final the punch to seal the deal. It was huge to beat those three teams in three consecutive days. We might get some respect on the Lawrence Co. name now.”
Bulldog Junior CJ Fairchild
“ I knew coming into that inning that we were going to something big and me and Jackson came up huge to stretch the lead out. Can’t describe the feeling to beat our three biggest rivals to win the Region. Just an awesome feeling.”
Bulldog Freshman Bryce Blevins
“ Since I was a little kid I have been dreaming of pitching in a Region Tournament. Johnson Central is always here so facing them and knowing how good they are was awesome. I didn’t have my best stuff but I battled and let my defense work behind me. We have been working so hard for this from our 6:00 am workouts and lifting weights. We lost a lot of key guys last year like Peyton Cyrus, Brad Parks and Jarrett Fairchild that many people didn’t give us much of a chance.”
