The McCracken County Mustangs collected the top seed in the Second District tournament with an explosive and action-packed win over crosstown rival Paducah Tilghman at the historic Brooks Stadium on Tuesday night. The Mustangs defeated the Blue Tornado in an 11-4 victory.
With a 5-3 lead going into the top of the sixth inning, the Mustangs added on during the late innings courtesy of sophomore Kendrick Dunning, who ripped a three-run home run, scoring Caleb Ehling and Scout Moffatt to give McCracken County an 8-3 lead.
“At first, it looked good, and like it was going out, then it hit the top of the wall, and I had an ‘oh crap’ moment and had to turn the jets on,” Dunning said. “I’m glad I’ve gotten to share what I can do to help this team. It’s been really exciting.”
Dunning, who has stepped into the third base role with senior Miller Green out due to injury, has collected two home runs within two weeks of his varsity career. Offensively, he went 1-for-3 with four RBI and two walks, scoring two runs in the win for McCracken County.
Ehling collected the win on the bump with the start for the Mustangs. The senior lefty went six innings, allowing six hits, three runs (earned), and two walks while striking out 10 of 26.
Clayton Pickard took the loss for Paducah Tilghman. The senior hurler worked three innings, allowing one hit, four runs (earned), and five walks while striking out five of 18.
Paducah Tilghman jumped on the board in the first inning, plating three runs at the hands of McCracken County miscues. With two outs, Brendan Mira knocked a double to left field, later scoring with Gunner Massey on an RBI double by Stone Crowe. One more run came for the Blue Tornado in the inning as Trevor Herrter singled, allowing Crowe to score.
McCracken County answered in the top of the third inning, taking a 4-3 lead over the Blue Tornado. With one out, Moffatt and Dunning drew walks ahead of Eli James being hit by a pitch. Moffatt scored on a passed ball before an intentional walk to Casey Hawes. Dunning and James tied it at 3-3 on a passed ball and an error by Paducah Tilghman. The Mustangs took a 4-3 lead as Hawes scored on a sacrifice fly from Jude Farley.
The 4-3 score remained until the top of the fifth inning. With bases loaded, Weston Miller knocked an RBI single to center field, scoring James. With Miller’s single, the Mustangs took a 5-3 lead.
As mentioned, the Mustangs extended their lead in the sixth inning. Ehling and Moffatt collected back-to-back singles ahead of Dunning’s home run. With the homer, McCracken County pushed to an 8-3 lead.
Three more runs came for the Mustangs in the top of the seventh inning. With a walk to Caden Kern and Ehling, Moffatt singled to left field. Dunning drew a bases-loaded walk, allowing Kern to score and make it a 9-3 ballgame. A fielder’s choice by James allowed Ehling to score. The final run came as Hawes grounded out with room for Moffatt to cross home plate and make it 11-3.
Paducah Tilghman scored in the bottom of the seventh inning as Mira singled, bringing home Hank James. However, the next three Tilghman batters went down in order with strikeouts.
Alex Calhoun appeared in relief for McCracken County. The senior worked an inning, allowing one hit, one run (earned), and three walks while striking out three of seven.
Mira and Elijah Hamilton appeared in relief for Paducah Tilghman. Mira pitched three innings, allowing eight hits, seven runs (earned), and six walks while striking out two. Hamilton pitched less than an inning, facing one batter.
MCCRACKEN COUNTY 11, PADUCAH TILGHMAN 4
MCHS 0 0 4 0 1 3 3 — 11-9-0
PTHS 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 — 4-7-3
WP: C. Ehling; LP: C. Pickard
2B: MCHS — J. Farley; PTHS — B. Mira, S. Crowe
HR: MCHS — K. Dunning
TB: MCHS — K. Dunning 4, C. Ehling 2, J. Farley 2, S. Moffatt 2, C. Hawes 1, E. James 1, W. Miller 1; PTHS — B. Mira 3, S. Crowe 2, B. Douglas 1, H. James 1, J. Seay 1, T. Herrter 1
HBP: MCHS — E. James 2, K. Dunning; PTHS — T. Herrter
SF: MCHS — J. Farley
SB: PTHS — H. James, J. Seay
CS: MCHS — C. Ehling
E: PTHS — B. Douglas, C. Yarbrough, G. Massey
RECORDS: McCracken County (20-7); Paducah Tilghman (15-10)