In June 11 Issue
By Derek Aaron
Times Journal Sports Editor

The Russell County Laker baseball team’s amazing postseason run has ended.

The 16th district and 4th region champions were defeated 8-1 by the Owensboro Red Devils in game two of a best-of-three Semi-State series at Muhlenberg South High School on Saturday.

The series was postponed several times last week by rain. After last Monday’s heartbreaking 5-4 loss in game one, the Lakers stayed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Central City in anticipation of game two, which was delayed twice by rain on Wednesday and Thursday.

Russell County then had to make the long three-hour trip back home before heading back to western Kentucky on Saturday in hopes of getting two straight wins, and a shot at the state tournament in Lexington.

It was not to be though, as the Red Devils jumped out to an early lead Saturday and never looked back.

Owensboro pitcher Davey Murphy was a strong point on the mound for the opponents, giving up only five hits and one run in the game.

Lakers Quinton Warriner, Cody Stephens, Martin Cross, Zach Carney and Bryson McFall all collected hits in the loss with Carney getting the only RBI.

On the mound for the Lakers, senior Adam Black picked up the loss, giving up four runs on four hits. Warriner, a senior, relieved Black late in the game and also gave up four runs on four hits.

Owensboro batters Zach Knight, Nick Busch and Semi-State MVP Andrew Webb all had a superb game at the plate, helping the Red Devils to victory.

The Lakers got the leadoff batter on base five times in the game but was unable to secure any momentum.

Although the Lakers won’t be moving on to Applebee’s Park, this team can hold their heads high as they represented the 4th region with class at Semi-State. After defeating Logan County, Warren Central and Bowling Green late last month to capture the 4th region title, people began to take notice of the 16th district and Russell County, who has always had a commendable baseball program.

Head Coach David Rexroat, in his seventh season, and his assistants, Rob Clark, Pat Back, Scotty Huckaby, Steve Kinder along with Larry Wilson should take pride in what this team was able to accomplish in the postseason.

Russell County ends the season with a 21-13 record going both undefeated at the district and regional levels.

Five Lakers, Cody Coffey, Cody Stephens, Chris Hammond, Quinton Warriner and Adam Black played their last game in the uniform this weekend but will be forever remembered for helping lead their team to advance to Semi-State after strolling through district and regional play unscathed.