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BEREA — The Indians (24-11) had plenty of arms available — and ready to pitch — heading into Thursday’s match-up with Madison Southern (17-16) in the 44th District Tournament championship game.
“We had a lot of options,” Madison Central coach Steve Roof said. “But Lucas (Ward) has been one of our top guys all year. He’s had some great games and pitched against some good teams.”
“He’s a dog,” Central senior Will Richardson said of Ward.
The junior right-hander got the start and threw five shutout innings as the Indians rolled to 7-0 victory over Southern. Three pitchers combined to allow only two hits on the way to an eighth-straight district title.
Tielor Howie was 2-for-5 and scored twice, while Eli Halloran was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
Both teams advance to next week’s 11th Region Tournament.
Ward had a 4-1 record in a team-high 31 2/3 innings during the regular season, with a 2.43 ERA. The junior allowed two of the first three batters of the game to reach on Thursday, but bounced back to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
“I have confidence in my defense. I have confidence in myself and my team,” Ward said. “I didn’t feel like I would struggle.”
Ward allowed one hit and one walk, with three strikeouts.
Junior Brody Bowling worked one inning, allowing one hit and one walk. Junior Tielor Howie struck out the side in the seventh inning.
“We are going to need more of that kind of pitching next week,” Roof said.
The Indians had only seven hits, but scored in four different innings — including twice in the third and three times in the fourth.
Carson Sizemore delivered a trio of quality, run-producing at-bats. The sophomore had two of Central’s three sacrifice flies and added a RBI groundout.
“We got guys in scoring position,” Sizemore said. “I just had to put the ball in play.”
The shortstop was 1-for-2 with three RBI and scored once.
Richardson was 1-for-2 with a two-run single. The senior also walked twice and scored once. Jagger Hamm was 1-for-3 with a walk and scored a run.
Kannon Cook walked once and scored once. Braxton Hicks had a walk and a RBI. Catcher Luke Bryner walked twice and scored once, while Zakaree Turner walked twice.
“We came out and executed. and that’s all that needs to be said,” Richardson said.
Griffin Back and Konnor Bailey had the only hits for Southern. Aaron Short also had two walks.
Short got the start the Eagles, pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, six runs and eight walks with three strikeouts.
Trey Helton worked the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, one run and two walks with one strikeout.
Southern pitchers hit four batters.
“I though their pitchers did a good job, but out hitters had a good approach (at the plate),” Roof said. “We executed all the way around — on the bases and at the plate. Our defense was solid too.”
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“We had a lot of options,” Madison Central coach Steve Roof said. “But Lucas (Ward) has been one of our top guys all year. He’s had some great games and pitched against some good teams.”
“He’s a dog,” Central senior Will Richardson said of Ward.
The junior right-hander got the start and threw five shutout innings as the Indians rolled to 7-0 victory over Southern. Three pitchers combined to allow only two hits on the way to an eighth-straight district title.
Tielor Howie was 2-for-5 and scored twice, while Eli Halloran was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
Both teams advance to next week’s 11th Region Tournament.
Ward had a 4-1 record in a team-high 31 2/3 innings during the regular season, with a 2.43 ERA. The junior allowed two of the first three batters of the game to reach on Thursday, but bounced back to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
“I have confidence in my defense. I have confidence in myself and my team,” Ward said. “I didn’t feel like I would struggle.”
Ward allowed one hit and one walk, with three strikeouts.
Junior Brody Bowling worked one inning, allowing one hit and one walk. Junior Tielor Howie struck out the side in the seventh inning.
“We are going to need more of that kind of pitching next week,” Roof said.
The Indians had only seven hits, but scored in four different innings — including twice in the third and three times in the fourth.
Carson Sizemore delivered a trio of quality, run-producing at-bats. The sophomore had two of Central’s three sacrifice flies and added a RBI groundout.
“We got guys in scoring position,” Sizemore said. “I just had to put the ball in play.”
The shortstop was 1-for-2 with three RBI and scored once.
Richardson was 1-for-2 with a two-run single. The senior also walked twice and scored once. Jagger Hamm was 1-for-3 with a walk and scored a run.
Kannon Cook walked once and scored once. Braxton Hicks had a walk and a RBI. Catcher Luke Bryner walked twice and scored once, while Zakaree Turner walked twice.
“We came out and executed. and that’s all that needs to be said,” Richardson said.
Griffin Back and Konnor Bailey had the only hits for Southern. Aaron Short also had two walks.
Short got the start the Eagles, pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, six runs and eight walks with three strikeouts.
Trey Helton worked the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, one run and two walks with one strikeout.
Southern pitchers hit four batters.
“I though their pitchers did a good job, but out hitters had a good approach (at the plate),” Roof said. “We executed all the way around — on the bases and at the plate. Our defense was solid too.”
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