LEBANON — Taylor County outlasted Marion County 4-3 in 11 innings to win the 20th District Baseball Tournament championship in dramatic fashion Wednesday, May 17, in a game that lasted more than four hours.
The Cardinals and Knights were tied 3-3 at the end of the seventh inning. Taylor County plated one run in the top half of the 11th inning to move ahead in the district championship game.
Taylor County freshman Grayson Kearney drove in sophomore Chase Morris to claim the title.
Pitching in relief for the Cardinals, Hunter Vaughn claimed the win on the mound. Vaughn pitched two and two-thirds innings, allowing only one hit while recording four strikeouts.
Hayden Jones started on the mound for the Cardinals. Jones pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits while registering six strikeouts.
Cole McLean, pitched three and one-third innings in relief for the Cardinals. McLean allowed one earned run on three hits while recording four strikeouts.
Jackson Willett took the loss on the mound for the Knights. Willett, working in relief, pitched five and one-third innings, allowing one earned run on one hit while striking out four Taylor County batters.
Another Marion County pitcher, Keaton Spalding, pitched two innings in relief. Spalding allowed one earned run on three hits while registering six strikeouts.
Noah Spalding started on the mound for the Knights. The Marion County starter pitched three innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits while recording five strikeouts.
Vaughn (two hits, one RBI), Jones (two hits), Austin Garrett (three hits, two RBIs), Chase Morris (three hits, one RBI), Clay McLean (one hit) and Grayson Kearney (one hit) each produced at the plate for Taylor County in its district championship-clinching victory. Garrett drilled two doubles for the Cardinals.
Taylor County fared well defensively, committing only one error, compared to four by Marion.
Both Taylor County and Marion County advanced to the 5th Region Baseball Tournament.
