CORBIN — South Laurel coach Trey Smith has been pleased with his team’s aggressiveness the entire season, and it paid off big time during Monday’s 50th District matchup with Corbin. With the game tied at six apiece in the top of the ninth inning, the Cardinals loaded the bases with one out as Austin Byrd took off from third after a passed ball and scored what turned out to be the game-winning run.
South Laurel recorded the win after Will Alsip silenced the Redhounds’ bats in the bottom of the ninth, securing the Cardinals a 7-6 win.
The one-run victory over Corbin snapped South Laurel’s 17-game losing skid against the Redhounds, giving the Cardinals their first win over Cody Philpot’s team since April 20, 2017.
“It was a good team effort,” Smith said. “That’s a good team over there. We have an insanely tough district that has tough teams. Our players haven’t shied away from the tough teams, and it’s nice for our boys to break through.
“We play an aggressive style and I want the boys to be aggressive,” he added. “Austin saw an opportunity and took it. Every time we play against Whitley County or Corbin, it’s like a region championship game — very high level. I’m just happy for my boys to be able to get the win.”
The win improved South Laurel to 15-5 and 3-2 against district opponents while Corbin fell to 13-10, and 3-2 against district opponents. The two teams will face-off again Tuesday at South Laurel while a third matchup between the two teams will take place in an elimination game of semifinal action of the 50th District Tournament later in May.
The Redhounds built a 6-1 lead, and looked to be in control after scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but South Laurel never quit.
The Cardinals cut their deficit to one run with three runs in the sixth inning before sending the game into extra innings with two runs in the seventh inning.
Vince Sizemore led the Cardinals with two hits, and two RBI while Byrd, Waylon Hensley, and Keaton Creech each finished with two hits apiece. Reece Noble finished with a hit, an RBI and one run scored while Alsip and Keaton Smith had a hit and a run scored apiece. Bryson Turner also finished with a hit.
Hensley started the game in the mound, lasting five innings while allowing five hits, and two earned runs. He also had one strikeout.
Alsip got the win, tossing the final four innings while limiting Corbin to three hits and no runs. He had six strikeouts.
The Redhounds’ Noah Cima connected with a home run, and finished with two hits, an RBI, and two runs scored while Lucas Tarvin had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Ethan Abner and Trey Person both finished with an RBI and a run scored apiece while Clay Botner had a hit and scored once. Cam Estep finished with a hit.
