The Mustangs (33-8), who were playing in their first state final, took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double by Logan Verble and an RBI groundout by Brandon Dodd.
The Commodores (35-7) tied the game in the second inning on RBI doubles by Chandler Workman and Mason Gentry. Tates Creek then put the game away in the fifth on an RBI double by Noah Blythe and an RBI single by Colin Burgess.
McCracken County had men at first and second with one out in the 7th inning, but Dodd hit into a double play to end the game.
Eli Tencza went the distance to pick up the win for Tates Creek. He gave up 2 runs on 7 hits with 4 strikeouts. Jacob Ehling, pitching on three days rest, took the loss. He gave up 4 runs on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts in 4 and 1/3 innings of work.
Verble finished 2-3 with 1 RBI. Reese Hutchins was also 2-3.
The Mustangs were trying to become the first baseball team from the 1st Region to win a state championship since Paducah Tilghman won it in 1960. McCracken County is the first 1st Region team to finish as state runner-up since Murray did it in 1979.
McCracken County's Grant Davis, Verble and Ehling were named to the All-Tournament Team.
On the Net:
Championship Game Box Score
