The Grayson County baseball team opened its season Saturday afternoon with a scrimmage game against the visiting Larue County Hawks at Don Lee Field. They scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to salvage a 5-5 tie.
As is usual in early-season games, both teams used a lot of pitchers going one or two innings each. Grayson County used five pitchers over the seven innings, while Larue County used four.
Both teams found hits scarce with each team getting five hits. The Hawks broke through first with two runs off of Noah Brown in the third inning. With one out, left-fielder Brooks Brackey singled to right and he came around to score on a triple by center-fielder Noah Davis. Davis then scored on an infield single off the bat of catcher Hayden Hunter.
The score stayed at 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth. Shortstop Cadan Woodcock walked leading off, then stole second base. Walks to Damon Simon and Brown loaded the bases, and Woodcock came home on a ground out by designated hitter Kyle Davis.
The Cougars still had runners at second and third with just one out, but Dane Hawkins struck out and Alex Scott grounded out to end the threat.
The Hawks then scored three times in the top of the seventh without a hit to take a four-run lead. Senior Noah Bullock was on the mound and he had major control issues as he hit three batters and walked another. Two runs scored when Bullock’s pick-off attempt at second base went to the outfield, where Simon, in center, let the ball get by him.
Derek Heath took to the mound for the Hawks in the bottom of the seventh and he also had control problems. Andrew Haycraft reached base on an error leading off before Heath plunked Ryan Johnson with a pitch.
Bullock followed by hitting a ball that shortstop Gavin Nall let get through for an error, loading the bases. Woodcock followed with a single that plated Haycraft to make it 5-2 and left the bases loaded.
Johnson scored on a wild pitch with Bullock and Woodcock advancing to second and third. With one out, Brown walked to reload the bases. Davis struck out for the second out, but a Hawkins single brought in Bullock to make it 5-4.
On the play, Brown headed for third base, which was already occupied by Woodcock. In the rundown that ensued, Woodcock scored the tying run when Nall had a relay throw glance off his glove for the third error of the inning.
The Cougars still had the potential winning run at third base, but Scott grounded out to end the game.
The Cougars were scheduled to open the regular season with a game on Monday at Warren East.
By Don Brown, Local Sports
Reach Don at donbrown@k105.com
