Belfry claims District Seven Crown

By Justin Holbrook Staff Writer

PRESTONSBURG — The back of the Belfry 13- and 14- year-old all-star’s T-shirts read “show no mercy.”

After watching Tuesday nights District Seven Championship game against Paintsville, it was obvious the boys from Pond Creek meant exactly what the shirt stated.

Belfry rolled to a 17-4 victory over Paintsville to capture the title. With the win Belfry finished the tournament 5-0, outscoring its opponent’s 81-9.

Belfry struck first against their bitter rivals. Josh Francis hit a single for Belfry in the top of the first inning. Francis scored the games first run off an RBI triple pounded off the bat of Howie Dotson, putting Belfry ahead 1-0. Dotson failed to score in the inning as he was tagged out in a rundown between third and home.

Paintsville bounced back in the first inning. Timmy Sublett doubled and Brooks Pelphrey followed with a walk. Belfry starting pitcher Jared Masters surrendered a single to Jordan Stewart to load the bases with only one out in the inning.

Belfry quickly changed pitchers as they turned to Jeremy Workman to get them out of the jam. Workman issued an RBI single to Ross Sanor, scoring Sublett on the play. Dustin Vanhoose hit into a fielders choice RBI, as Pelphrey crossed the plate to give Paintsville a 2-1 lead.

Staring down its first deficit of the tournament Belfry wasted little time getting the lead back. In the top of the second Preston Young led off the inning with a single, however Young was called out at second on a fielders choice hit by Keegan Fields. Masters hit a double, moving Fields to third. Workman pounded a double, plating Fields and Masters, to put Belfry ahead 3-2. Belfry extended its lead to 4-2 as Workman scored on an RBI single by Francis.

Paintsville knotted the contest up a 4-4 in the third inning. Pelphrey and Sanor each singled to start the inning. Both crossed the plate on a two-out single by Josh Moore.

After that Paintsville could find little offense, as Belfry brought in their ace hurler Tyler Williams. The hard throwing right hander kept Paintsville in check the rest of the contest. Williams went the final six innings, surrendering two runs on seven hits, while striking out four batters.

Belfry broke the game open in the fourth inning. Fields started off the inning with a walk. Masters singled and Gary Runyon drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Workman smacked a double, scoring Fields and Masters to put Belfry ahead 6-4. Francis brought Runyon and Workman home with a double. After stealing third, Francis scored on a sacrifice RBI by Dotson to put Belfry ahead 9-4. Williams doubled, but was left on third.

Belfry struck for three more runs in the sixth. Dotson started the inning with a walk. Dotson stole second and third base and scored on an RBI single by Williams. Young followed with a single. Williams moved to third and scored on a wild pitch. Young scored on an RBI ground out by Fields to put Belfry ahead 12-4.

Belfry never let up in the seventh inning. Runyon opened the inning with a walk and was called out on a fielders choice hit by Workman. Francis followed with a walk. Workman scored on a Paintsville wild pitch, advancing Francis to third. Dotson walked and wasted little time stealing second. On the steal Paintsville attempted to throw Dotson out, which allowed Francis to scored on the play. Williams scored Dotson with an RBI single. Young followed with a single. Williams and Young scored the games final two runs off a single by Fields, to give Belfry a 17-4 lead.

Paintsville loaded the bases in the seventh with three straight singles, but Belfry got out of the jam untouched to capture the crown.

Sanor took the loss on the mound for Paintsville.

Belfry is slated to play in the State Tournament Saturday at 4 p.m. in London against Lewis County. They are six squads in the double elimination tournament.