Wilson Surpasses 300 Career Strikeouts; Wildcats Defeat Rebels 3-0 On Senior Night

Edmonson County junior right-handed pitcher Hunter Wilson (3) rears back to deliver pitches across the plate to visiting Todd County Central Rebels Thursday May 15 in Brownsville.

​Story and photos by Joseph Barkoff:
Sandwiched in between storms rolling through the Mississippi Valley and up past Edmonson County, Wildcat baseball was finally able to complete a last-ditch senior night Thursday, May 15th in Brownsville.

Storms rolled in cancelling home games Monday and Tuesday, so a last attempt for a make-up was scheduled for Thursday.

With only one senior on the team, it made for an easy ceremony as senior third baseman Garrett Lyons was flanked on both sides by his teammates as he mounted the field from the home dugout to meet his mom and dad at home plate with, of course, a small bouquet for mom.

All things considered, it was a beautiful night for baseball with a slight breeze in the humid, approximately 86-degree air with a cloudy cushion above to keep the sun off the field.

Despite a few errant large rain drops scattered intermittently throughout the game, the Wildcats were able to come out strong in the first inning and hold down their visiting opponent Todd County Central Rebels.

Edmonson County senior third baseman Garrett Lyons (21) hits a single against visiting Todd County Central Rebels Thursday May 15 in Brownsville.

Edmonson County junior right-handed pitcher Hunter Wilson (3) delivers pitches across the plate to visiting Todd County Central Rebels Thursday May 15 in Brownsville.

​It helped having junior right-handed pitcher Hunter Wilson on the mound tossing darts across the plate.

In the previous night’s work for Wilson, he surmounted the 300 strikeout mark for his career at Edmonson County, and he earned another 15 to his tally against the Rebels in 7 innings pitched Thursday.

Wilson allowed only one hit and 4 BBs, facing 28 Rebel batters. He helped his cause with two hits and a walk in three plate appearances with an RBI as well.

Wilson said he didn’t think he would be in the race for beating the strikeout record at Edmonson County, now in place for around 15 years, according to head coach Michael Meredith.

“It’s amazing,” Wilson said before the game. “It’s something I didn’t see happening coming in. Starting varsity in seventh grade I did not think I would even be in this spot to beat the record. Being in this spot to beat it is amazing.”

He noticed last year after surpassing 200 strikeouts, he could be close. Now with his junior year ending with over 300 strikeouts, the target 375 record is within reach.

He thinks he will break it as long as he stays healthy, he said.

Edmonson County junior right-handed pitcher Hunter Wilson (3) hurls pitches across the plate to visiting Todd County Central Rebels Thursday May 15 in Brownsville.

Edmonson County senior third baseman Garrett Lyons (21) scoops up a ground ball hit by visiting Todd County Central Rebels Thursday May 15 in Brownsville.

​“There’s very few pitchers that get the opportunity to get that many, but it’s because he’s worked hard,” Meredith said before the game. “It’s not because of me. He is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached.”

One thing that makes his career stat so impressive is the fact he achieved it with the team having a dozen games cancelled due to weather and Wilson missed a potential four more starting opportunities to increase his K’s, Meredith explained.

“We’ve won three out of the last four,” Meredith said. “So, hopefully we have peaked at the right time. Hoping for a win tonight.”

With District play starting next Monday, Meredith hopes his team is ready, he said.

The Wildcats were able to score one run in the first, second and fifth inning each, while holding the Rebels to just the one hit through seven, for a final score of 3-0.

Lyons was able to get on base twice with two hits in three at bats. The Wildcats made eight hits in the game through 24 at bats and only struck out six times.

“It feels great to come off a win,” Lyons said in the dugout after his final regular season game as a Wildcat. “I’m definitely gonna miss it. Always gonna wanna come back here and play, but I am glad I ended it with a win.”

With weather rolling in, there is a game scheduled for tomorrow, 5:30 p.m. Friday May 16 at the Bluegrass Blazers Home School, but if it doesn’t cooperate, District play is scheduled to begin Monday May 19.

Lady Cat softball also struggled with finding a game to celebrate senior night for their lone senior, Julie Norris, due to the same problem with recent weather cancelations. Norris has been a staple of Lady Softball for several years.

They will begin district tournament play next week in Whitesville.

The Wildcats are set to face Butler County at 5 p.m. in Morgantown May 19 to begin their District 12 Tournament.