Wildcats Fall in Baseball District Finals

Edmonson 6, Grayson 9

Hunter Wilson swings at a pitch against Grayson County.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Some cold bats and untimely errors by the Wildcats were factors last night in Whitesville as Edmonson County fell 9-6 to Grayson County in the District 12 championship game.

Grayson County started off with a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, thanks to a couple singles, walks, and an Edmonson County error. Another error by the Cats in the fourth brought in more Cougar runs and the Wildcats had only managed one base hit until the bottom of the fourth when they put together three singles to bring in their first run at 6-1.

Senior Colton Webb makes an out at first base against Grayson County.

In the bottom of the fifth, Alex Elkins doubled and then advanced to third on a ground out. Hunter Wilson crushed a deep fly ball to center, but it was caught on the run, right at the wall. Elkins was able to tag and score for a Grayson 6-2 lead.

It was a rough sixth inning for the Cats as the Cougars put together three singles, a walk, and a double to extend their lead to 8-2 while Edmonson County went quietly in the bottom of the inning.

Grayson County scored again in the top of the seventh for a 9-2 lead but Edmonson County made it interesting for Cat fans in the bottom of the inning.

After Elkins was thrown out at first on a dropped third strike, Levi Meredith drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hunter Wilson reached on a hit by pitch and both runners advanced on another wild pitch. Carter Hodges drew a walk to load the bases and then Meredith scored on a passed ball to cut the lead to 9-3. Michael Mills was also hit by a pitch to load the bases once more with two outs.

Drew Pierce then doubled to left center field knocking in three runs to cut the lead to 9-6. That would be all the offense the Cats would muster as the game ended with Edmonson County as district runners-up.

Coach Michael Meredith said while he was disappointed in the outcome of the game, the season has been "phenomenal," noting the 22-win season, which has been the most number of wins for Wildcat Baseball in more than 20 years.

"I coached some of these guys in youth league all-stars, and they didn't win a game, but these seniors, and the whole team, really, they've worked hard, played together, and they fight. I feel like we can play with any team in the region," he said. "We've played some really tough teams in both Kentucky and Tennessee this season and have been competitive in most all of them. We just have to keep playing harder, keep fighting, and we'll find out who we play in the region on Friday."

That game is scheduled for Monday, May 27th, weather permitting at Breckinridge County, who has a turf field, which may make it easier to have the game in the event of wet weather.

"Yes, we're disappointed in tonight, but we have to get some hunger back going into next week. We have some special players that can do special things. I'm not saying we didn't put our best effort in tonight, I think our kids gave it all they got, but we waited a little too late tonight to mount the comeback and that was unfortunate. I was looking for a couple more breaks at the end, but that's the way it goes sometimes. They're great kids. I've not had one problem all year long. No drama, no grade issues, attendance, or discipline issues and that says a lot about their parents, the way they raised them and I'm not trading my bunch for anybody right now."

Levi Meredith and Hunter Wilson were named to the All-District Team and Meredith and Alex Elkins were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Edmonson County is 22-9 on the season as they enter the Region 3 Tournament next week.