KYPL-American started hot in the first inning with a stolen base from Bryce Thomas during Blake Schmitt’s at-bat. Schmitt went on to single and earn himself an RBI. KYPL-American would end the bottom of the first inning with three runs.
By the bottom of the third inning, KYPL-American found themselves earning another run after Eric Riffe singled on a line drive to left field, allowing Thomas to touch home plate once more.
KYPL-National earned their first run in the top of the fourth inning after Trent Shelby grounded into a fielder’s choice to first base and Trey Hutchinson scored. Jonah Brannon and Jacob Pennington would tack on two more runs before heading into the bottom of the fourth.
KYPL-National began to pull away with four runs in the fifth inning. Jase Felker singed on a 1-1- count, scoring one run and his teammate Hutchinson singled, allowing one more run to score.
The score remained 7-4 with KYPL-National leading the way until the top of the eighth when Jackson Fitzgerald scored after Brannon hit a sacrifice fly to left field. KYPL-American found themselves in a pickle with bases loaded, a pitching change, and Shelby at the plate and Wes Choate looming. B McCabe escaped the inning by striking out both Shelby and Choate.
KYPL-American earned three runs in the ninth inning after a triple by Thomas and a sacrifice fly by Riffe. Although KYPL-American were one run away from tying the game in the bottom of the ninth, Rook Ellington grounded out to third base to end the game.
KYPL-National ended the game with nine hits. Logan Verble and Fitzgerald had multiple hits for their team throughout the night.
Gabe East earned the win for KYPL-National. He went a total of three innings – allowing one hit and zero runs. East struck out four and walked none. Brady Betts started the game for KYPL-National – allowing four runs on three hits. Betts went three innings and struck out three. Coy Burns and Brock Anderson came in as relief later innings.
Dylan Schneider took the loss for KYPL-American – allowing five hits and five runs over two innings. Schneider struck out one and walked none. Corbin Guthman started the game for KYPL-National – allowing two hits and two runs in three innings. Guthman struck out six.
KYLN 000340010 8 9 1
PKLA 301000003 7 8 6
WP: Gabe East (1-0); LP: Dylan Schneider (0-1)
