WILLIAMSBURG — Jeremy Shope’s Whitley County Colonels let everyone with its two-game sweep of No. 1 ranked Corbin on Tuesday know in the 13th Region that despite graduating a lot of experience and talent from last season, they’re still the defending state champions and will be hard to beat once again when postseason play begins.
The Colonels spotted Corbin a 2-0 lead before scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning and three more runs in the bottom of the second inning en route to their 7-3 win.
The Redhounds entered the two game series averaging eight runs per game, but managed to score only four runs during the two games against Whitley County.
The Colonels’ EJ Allen impressed at the plate and on the mound, going 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored while picking up the win by tossing five innings, allowing two hits and two earned runs. Allen also struck out six batters.
“Another good district win for us,” Shope said. “EJ showed some composure and settled in after the first. He threw well for us. Trey came in and filled up the strike zone. Matthew and EJ both had big days for us at the plate. We also had some big hits by Nunley and Osborne. Proud of how this team competes.”
Whitley County is now 14-7 overall and 4-0 against 50th District opponents. The loss, Corbin’s third in a row, drops the Redhounds to 14-5 and 2-2 against district foes.
Cruz Cima took the loss for Corbin, lasting 1 1/3 of an inning, allowing six hits and six earned runs. He struck out a batter. Will Freeman pitched the final 4 2/3 of an inning, giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out three batters.
Kade Elam had a hit, two RBI and scored once to lead the Redhounds at the plate while Mikey Neal had a hit and an RBI.
