CORBIN — Dallas Merida collected three hits and drove in two runs while Clay Botner added a pair of hits and three RBI as Corbin rallied past South Laurel for a 10-6 victory during semifinal action of the 50th District Baseball Tournament on Monday.
The win sends the Redhounds into the 50th District championship game and secured Corbin (19-15) a berth in next week’s 13th Region Tournament after dropping both regular season meetings to the Cardinals.
South Laurel led 2-0 through four innings before Corbin broke through with three runs in the fifth to take its first lead of the night. The Redhounds then erupted for seven runs in the top of the seventh inning to create separation.
Brody Garland paced the Cardinals (21-15) offensively, finishing 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Waylon Hensley added a double and two RBI while Jacob Culler drove in a run. Carter Kelley, Bryson Turner and Culler each recorded hits for South Laurel.
Merida finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI to lead Corbin’s 10-hit attack. Botner went 2-for-3 with three RBI while Cam Estep added two hits and an RBI. Jaden Broughton scored twice and Landon Walters crossed the plate two times for the Redhounds.
Malachi Zachery earned the win on the mound for Corbin, allowing six runs on seven hits over 6.1 innings while striking out five. Bret Estep recorded the final two outs in relief.
