By Dave Helmick
TuckerCountySports.Com
FRANKLIN – The Tucker County Baseball team traveled to Pendleton County for their first Sectional game on Monday May 9th. Mason Kisamore’s strong pitching effort led the Mt. Lions to a first round of sectional victory by the score of 6-5.
Kisamore earned the win for Tucker County as he would go 6 -2/3 innings giving up 4 runs, while striking out 9 batters. Justin Robeson entered the game in the bottom of the 7th inning with 2 outs. Robeson would give up 1 run on 3 hits before striking out the Pendleton County batter for the last out of the game.
Tucker County fell behind early on a series of defensive mishaps; however, the young Tucker County team fought back and with some good defensive plays by Harper Russell and good pitching, the Lady Mt. Lions was able to bounce back and take the lead. Tucker County racked up 9 hits on the day. Russell, Robeson and Kisamore each collected multiple hits for Tucker County each having 2 hits apiece. Blaike Adams, Tony Costlow and Andrew Steinman would each collect a hit on the night. The Mt. Lions had a big inning when Kisamore hit a triple off the bottom of the right center fence which would score Robeson. Then Harper Russell smashed a double of the top of the center field fence. Coach Kisamore had this to say after the Sectional win, “This was a big win for us. Winning against Pendleton County is a step in the right direction for this young team, they are finding a way to minimize mistakes and they are not giving up.”
PETERSBURG – The Mt. Lions traveled to Petersburg on Tuesday May 10th. Tucker County had problems controlling the Vikings early as Petersburg got the win over the Mt. Lions 13-0.
Justin Robeson led things off on the mound for Tucker County. Robeson lasted 1 inning, allowing 4 hits and 5 runs while walking zero. Harper Russell and Ethan Rosenau entered the game from the bullpen, throwing 1-2/3 innings and 1-1/3 innings respectively. Russell and Mason Kisamore each managed 1 hit to lead Tucker County, each going 1 of 2 on the day from the plate. Coach Kisamore had this to say about the loss, “The guys just didn’t seem to show up tonight. Not leaving Pendleton County until after 10:30 and traveling again tonight seems to have taking a toll on the guys.”
FRANKLIN – After a mess up in the Sectional Bracket, Tucker County had to return to Pendleton County on Thursday May 12th for a Sectional elimination game with the Wildcats even though Pendleton County had not played another game since Tucker County defeated them on Monday ay 9th. The PVC Director decided to keep the bracket the same to force the Mt. Lions to play at a rested ace pitcher for Pendleton County. That ace for the Wildcats, Clayton Kisamore, would go the distance for Pendleton County on the mound as he allowed 1 run on 6 hits. Tucker County stranded with bases loaded in two separate innings as Pendleton County got the win 7-1. Ethan Rosenau led things off on the mound for the Mt. Lions. The right-hander would surrender 6 runs off 6 hits over 4 innings of work. Justin Robeson and Harper Russell would enter the game in relief throwing 1-2/3 innings and 1/3 of an inning respectively. Russell led Tucker County with 2 hits in 3 attempts at the plate.
Tucker County Head Coach Steelie Kisamore had this to say about the season, “This season was a tough one for sure. What would have been a veteran team ended up being a very young team as five starters from last year did not return. We had a few injuries and lineup changes along the way that left many starters in unfamiliar positions and just not a lot of experience.” Kisamore added, “Bill Shahan, assistant coach, and I coached harder than we ever have, trying to teach so much of the game to just a very young team, but in the end I was able to see a lot of growth. We started eliminating all the errors and making plays.” “I am very proud of Harper Russell, our only senior, and Mason Kisamore (junior) for the leadership roles they took on. I would see them not only working hard in practice, but also working with the younger guys to help them understand the game a little more.” Kisamore finished with this, “I want to give a special thanks to Bill Shahan for jumping in at the last minute to help coach and to Amanda Kisamore for all the behind the scene work for not only the high school program, but for the middle school program as well.” For more info go to TuckerCountySports.Com.