Johnson Central Soph. Chase Preece had himself a “Big Night” Wednesday night at the plate and JCHS got solid Pitching from Jr. Reliever Dawson Montgomery, as the Golden Eagles defeated their 57th District and Crosstown Rival Paintsville (17-6) at Charlie Adkins Field.
Preece hit his 2nd Home Run of the season in the Top of the 2nd inning, a Grand Slam to Centerfield off Tigers starter Dixon Kincheloe. Preece would also double in another Run in the 7th inning. He would finish with 3 Hits and 5 RBI’s.
JCHS Fr. Kaleb Callaham hit his 1st HR of the Season in the Top of the 1st inning to get the Golden Eagles on the board, but Paintsville would counter that 1 Run with 5 Runs of their own in the Bottom of the 1st inning. Fr. Anderson Lauffer would drive in 2 Runs with a Single in that inning.
It didn’t take JCHS long to regain the lead, scoring 5 Runs in the Top of the 2nd inning, the Big Blow was the Preece Grand Slam , to push the Golden Eagles back in front 8-5, a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.
Johnson Central starter Kyle Rose would only last 2/3 of an inning, as the Tigers bats came out of the gate strong. Rose would allow 5 Runs (all earned) on 2 Hits, walking 4 PHS Batters, while Striking out 2. Montgomery would relieve Rose and he Pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing only 1 Run and 3 Hits. Montgomery would Strike out 11 Paintsville Hitters and only surrendering 1 Walk to pick up the Win.
The Golden Eagles would Finish the Game with 17 Runs on 15 Hits. Sr. Boston Crace was 2/3 at the Plate, including a Triple. Crace also had 2 RBI’s and 2 Runs Scored. Callaham Brothers Kaleb (2 Hits) and Kyler (3 Hits) each had Big Nights for the Golden Eagles. Kaleb had 3 RBI’s and Kyler had 1 RBI and each Scored Twice.
Fr. DH Dalton Boner picked up 2 Hits and an RBI, Fr. Brayden Shepherd, Sr. Brock Butcher and Sr. Cameron Kelsey each had a Hit. Shepherd also Scored 3 times.
Paintsville‘s Lauffer, Brock Horne, Peyton Adams, Brody Howell and Luke Stratton each collected a Hit in the game. Lauffer and Stratton each finished with 2 RBI’s, while Howell and Alex Johnson had 1 RBI each.
Montgomery picked up the Win, the Loss went to Kincheloe. PHS’s Lauffer pitched 3 1/3, 2 Runs, 4 Hits and Shane Blair pitched 1 2/3, 4 Runs and 3 Hits.
Johnson Central and Paintsville will Play their 2nd District Game versus each other on Monday, April 22 at Johnson Central H.S. Game Will be LIVE on 98.9 FM WSIP.