[Joneslab]

Even though Sheldon Clark was ranked for most of the year, they were still the #2 team, IMO. Paintsville started with Soph. Josh LeMaster and was knocked off the mound I believe in the first inning. Just one of those days that pitchers sometime have. Personally I thought it was AC that for the most part had the one man team, with that being Allen. As for throwing hard, he topped out at 83 in that game, which for a lefty is pretty good, but not overpowering, but you are right, he was certainly a heck of a player. As for the regional final, I wouldn't say that JC ran out of arms but they were very young that year. As far as their pitchers in the regional tournament that year,sophomore Adam Blanton beat Pike Cental in the opener and sophomore Cory Conley beat Pikeville in the second round. A third sophomore,Travis Montgomery started in the finals and was cruising along easily when his leg started cramping. After several game stoppages because of Montgomery's cramps, freshman Matt Fyffe came in and pitched a couple of innings with freshman Justin Blanton finishing the last two. Both freshmen did outstanding in their 4 innings but JC coundn't generate any offense in that game. Those were 5 pretty talented pitchers on that squad. They all played in college, except Conley, who could have, but chose not to.

As for being lucky, I wouldn't say that. AC had a good team. They did beat JC earlier in the regular season, so I wouldn't call that an upset win. But I do think that with Paintsville and SC being knocked out early it greatly enhanced their chances. To their credit they did take advantage of the opportunity, and do have the title and the trophy to prove it. They earned every bit of that championship. It was a fun tournament that year.

Isn't it also ironic in that history was probably made after that game. Both the regional runner up and championship coach were both not rehired for the next season.

Sheldon Clark beat Paintsville and Allen Central beat Sheldon Clark. You play who you got in front of you. AC's pitchers got a good roll and threw strikes. They got some solid D behind them as well. They had a young infield that year if I recall correctly. Freshmen on third and second most games and they made solid plays. Especially during that tournament. You are right, that was a fun tournament.

You are probably right about the signifigance of neither coach being rehired the next year. I bet that had and my never happen again. I did see a poster on here post that Chad Hall had hired the same assistants that were there in 2003. I will have to look into that. Those guys seemed to know baseball and did a good job with the kids. I know Byron Patton handled the pitchers and catchers and did all the pitch calling for several years. Hopefully, they can help bring the program back to the top of the 58th.