Wildcats Dominate Grayson County To Advance To District Finals

Cats Defeat Cougars 12-2 In 5 Innings, Now Have Shot At Back-to-Back District Championships

Darren Doyle, story:
The Wildcat offense showed up early in the first game of the District 12 Tournament, against the Grayson County Cougars in a 12-2, run-ruled win, hosted at Wildcat Field. Edmonson County set the tone early, as they put up 5 runs in the first inning, fueled by a three-run bomb by junior Andrew Talley.

In addition to Talley, senior Cole Saling started with a lead off single, followed by an off-the-wall double by senior Gavyn Minyard. The offense continued with a single by junior Daren Alexander, a double by sophomore John Michael Meredith, a single by senior Clay Clemmons, and another single in the same inning by Saling. The Wildcats brought 11 batters to the plate in the first.

"We came out really focused," said Head Coach Michael Meredith. "When you come out like we did last night, it makes a difference. We were as focused as we've been all year."

On the mound for the Cats, eighth-grader Hunter Wilson gave up only two runs on 7 hits while striking out 5 and walking none.

"Hunter controlled the game from the mound," said Coach Meredith. "Yes, he gave up 7 hits, but he didn't walk anybody and he stayed in control. We had some errors, but I guess you could say they came at good times because they didn't seem to hurt us."

Meredith said last night was the real pressure game, not necessarily the championship game tonight, where the Cats have a chance to win back-to-back district titles. They will face Whitesville-Trinity, who upset Butler County last night, 8-5.

"Winning last night lets a little pressure off. Not because tonight will be easy, but winning last night allows us to go to the region. We know we still have more baseball to play. We're going to try to go out there tonight with nothing to lose. We've got some guys that have experience in these big-game situations, and if we can be as focused as we were last night, we can compete. Trinity always plays well in the district tournament. Them beating Butler County last night was no fluke. They're a tough out and they'll be ready to play. We have to show up focused and ready to beat them."

Edmonson County has defeated Trinity 15-1 and 8-4 in their two previous match ups this season.

Talley led the Cats on the offense, going 4-4 with 7 RBIs. Meredith was 2-3, Sailing was 2-4, while Minyard was 1-2, Alexander went 1-3, and Clemmons was 1-4.

Edmonson County will face Trinity tonight at home for the 2022 District 12 Championship at 6PM.

The Lady Cat softball team will play in the first round tonight against Butler County in the girls' district tournament, which will be hosted at Butler County.