[OffTheHook]

The first game was a pitching duel from the start. Pikeville had Reese Ward on the hill to start and he threw great. Paintsville managed only 1 run off him but it shouldn't have crossed due to an error by the 3B. Pikeville's bats came alive in the 4th by driving home 3 runs but Paintsville answered with 4 in the bottom of the 4th to claim the first game. Very quick paced game that was extremely competitive....these two schools look to have bright futures.

What was failed to be mentioned is that Pikeville also played a whole new line-up with their reserves against Paintsville who left several of their every game players in the line-up (ex. Ethan Daniel hit his homer in the 2nd game against the 7th graders, but still that was a SHOT!!!!). Coach Justin Arms at Pikeville(Paintsville Alum) has did this in every double-header allowing for every kid to play a full game each night they go out so they will gain experience that will help them later in their career. Hopefully the Pikeville School System will keep him around for a long, LONG time. Hats off to both Paintsville and Pikeville for a great night of baseball.

Paintsville also started and played every single kid that didn't play the first game and didn't take them out the entire second game. Paintsville also throwed a 7th grader in Colby Burchett. The Tigers had one hole that was empty the second game and they subbed three times in that hole, to get each one an at bat. The Tigers also changed their EH every time it came to the bat. So please don't confuse the Tigers with JCMS, who NEVER play their bench kids.