Wildcat Baseball: Seniors Get Job Done Over Hart On Senior Night

Edmonson Wins 2-0

Seniors and their families on ECHS Baseball's 2019 Senior Night.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
It was another emotional night in Edmonson County as three senior Wildcats celebrated senior night with their families on-field as EC took on Hart County in the final home game of the year.

Gavin Rowe, Preston Dunn, and Tanner Woodcock were honored as the three seniors on this year's Wildcat team. Each one played a vital role in tonight's 2-0 over Hart County.

Rowe, the second baseman, made a tough throw to first in the 5th inning for the third out that kept the Raiders from scoring in a 0-0 game. 

Dunn pitched a complete game, one-hitter and it was Woodcock's two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth that would be the difference in the ballgame.

Tanner Woodcock lines a double in the 6th inning.

Gavin Rowe watches the pitch against Hart County.

Preston Dunn delivers a pitch against Hart County.

Coach Bo West said he tried to keep his seniors and the rest of the team loose tonight, despite the high emotions of senior night.

"All senior nights are emotional so we really focused on staying loose so we can get through the game," he said.

The left-handed Dunn struck out 6 in his shutout tonight.

"Preston's been solid for us all year and he's really done a good job of keeping his walks down," said West. "He's going after hitters and for the most part, our defense has been good, but he's also done a good job of getting ahead in the count."

The Raiders held the Cats to only 5 hits, but more than half of them came when they were needed most, and that was the sixth, where they took the lead.

"Tanner came up big for us," said West. "We've really struggled this year with runners in scoring position. So we're still working on that. It worked tonight and we hope to continue improving on that before next week at the district tournament."

Gabe Lindsey and Dunn reached on back-to-back singles in the bottom of the sixth. Chaz Wilson grounded out to the pitcher at the next at-bat, but was able to advance both Lindsey and Luke Meredith, who was a courtesy runner for Dunn. Tanner Woodcock, who will be playing college baseball at Union College with former EC teammate Dylan Waldrop, was able to line one over the second baseman's head on a 1-2 count for a double that scored both Lindsey and Meredith.

Gavin Rose then singled and Isaiah Johnson drew a walk but Woodcock was thrown out at home in attempt to steal; however, the two runs would be all that was needed as Dunn and the Wildcat defense shut down Hart County in the top of the 7th for the win. 

"Our defense and pitching has been there all year long, and while our hitting has not been bad, as I said, we have to get better with runners on base, with a better approach. But I like where our team's at, where our focus is at, we know what we have to do and we're trying to use this week to prepare for next week."

Edmonson County is scheduled to take on Butler County in round one of the District 12 tournament at Trinity next week but still has three consecutive games this week on the road: Todd County Central, Allen County-Scottsville, and John Hardin.

The Wildcats are now 15-10 on the season.