The Casey County Rebels baseball team came so close to a big win on Monday, May 15, over Pulaski County at Rockcastle County, but fell just short.
Coach Brad Johnson said he is happy with the way the season went, in general.
“Overall I’m pretty happy with our season. We were one play away from competing for the district championship for the first time since I was playing back in the late 90s,” he said.
Casey County held Pulaski County in check, and lost close 2-1 to end their season at the District 47 tournament.
Pitcher Lukas Bowmer pitched a great game, ending with a 2.33 ERA, with allowing 7 hits and 2 runs on 70 pitches.
On the other hand, the Rebels batting couldn’t get going, and ended with just one hit on 18 at-bats. Walker Johnson hit a double which drove in Noah Pennington, who had gotten on base with a walk. That was all the hitting for the Rebels on the day.
Coach Johnson said that the team leaders deserve recognition for a successful season.
“We finished with 17 wins, the most wins since the 2005 team finished with 17. Our team had great senior leadership: Lukas Bowmer, Jax Price, Rylan Hamm, and Nico Pulido-Rodriguez. I really hate to see those guys go. They are great ball players, but even better young men! They represented our program and county very well. A lot of tears were shed in the dugout after losing on Monday,” he said.
Looking forward, Johnson said that the team would miss the graduating seniors, and said a lot of them placed in the state rankings for their position.
“Lukas Bowmer was 12th in the state in innings pitched with 58, while only walking 6. Lukas is the most efficient pitcher I’ve ever seen. Rylan Hamm was 20th in the state in BB with 28. Evan Stephens was 27th in the state in hits with 46. Walker Johnson was 6th in the state with 16 doubles. Both Walker and Evan were top 50 in OBP,” he said.
“In conclusion, I’m really proud of my guys on and off the field. We’re taking a short break and getting back starting in early June playing summer ball at Southwestern High School trying to get better for next season,” Coach Johnson said.
