YOUTH BASEBALL: Meade County 14s top E'town for title (07/13)

By GREG CREWS gcrews@thenewsenterprise.com HODGENVILLE — Six innings into their opening-round game of the Babe Ruth District 10 Tournament, it appeared things weren’t going to be easy for the Meade County 14-year-old All-Stars, as they found themselves tied with LaRue County, 3-3. In the seventh inning of that game, however, Meade County caught fire as it racked up six runs and cruised to victory — and it never cooled down. In Saturday’s championship at LaRue County High School, Meade County topped Elizabethtown, 10-0 in five innings to earn their second straight trip to the state tournament. Meade County advanced to the final of the double-elimination tournament by defeating Elizabethtown, 11-3 on Friday. “All of our pitchers did a great job the last two days and we have hit the ball real well all tournament long,” Meade County coach Ben Wilson said. “We feel real fortunate to win.” Brady Smith recorded the win in the championship as he allowed only one hit, while striking out two in five innings. “He was real impressive, and he did a good job catching our last two games,” Wilson said of Smith’s performance. “He told us he really wanted to pitch this one … and he pitched a great game.” Chris McClish led Meade County’s offense with a double and a single, while Charles Filyaw hit a pair of singles. Bo Wilson, Chancey Schwartz and Ryan Hogan each recorded a single and a walk. Smith, Pelden Cross and Brandon McGee each singled. Elizabethtown’s only hit was a double, which came from Sam Brashear. “We played as good as we could. Meade County is just a lot better than we are,” Elizabethtown coach Loy Brashear said. “They’re probably the best 14-year-old team I have ever seen in this district.” Two years ago, as 12-year-olds, Elizabethtown beat Meade County in the finals to advance to State. Meade County returned the favor last year in the 13-year-old final before winning again this year. “It feels good to get to go (to State) again,” said Wilson, who did not coach the squad last season. “I hope we can go a little deeper this year than we did last year and win it.” After loosing to Meade County in the winner’s bracket final, Elizabethtown earned a spot in the championship by defeating LaRue County, 9-8 in the loser’s bracket final Saturday. LaRue County led 3-1 after four innings and 7-6 after five, but Elizabethtown tacked on three more in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-7 lead and allowed only one run in the top of the seventh to hold on for the victory. Kyle Harrell recorded the win for Elizabethtown, while Eli Mitchell and Kyle Harris also contributed on the mound. Sam Brashear and Dylan Whitmore each had a two hits, while Dustin Kindervater, Garrett Ray and Harrell had one apiece. In their first meeting with Meade County in the tournament, Elizabethtown had five hits as Ryan Hagan, Will Sidebottom, Travis Earles and Kindervater each singled. Jarrett Ledford earned the win for Meade County. He also tallied a pair of hits, while Smith and Charles Filyaw also had two hits apiece. Greg Crews can be reached at 505-1754