By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Beechwood baseball team’s storybook season came to a disappointing end in the first round of the state tournament at Whitaker Bank Park in Lexington.
Preston Hamilton of Beechwood attempts a punt in the early innings of his team’s state tournament game against Breckinridge County. (Photo by Dale Dawn)
In a game that was halted by lightning on Wednesday night and resumed Thursday morning, Breckinridge County scored four runs on three hits and one error in the top of the eighth inning and came away with a 10-6 win over the Tigers.
Senior pitcher Carter Noah took the mound for the Tigers when the game resumed. He was tagged with his first loss of the season, but all four runs were unearned. One scored on a passed ball and the other three came home on an error in the outfield.
It was the first time this season that Beechwood (38-2) lost an extra-inning game. After tying the score in the third inning, the Tigers didn’t get a hit in the last five innings. This will be the first time since 2013 that a Northern Kentucky team hasn’t made it to the state final.
Most of the starters in the Beechwood lineup this year were seniors, including center fielder Logan Castleman, who was voted first-team all-state.
It’ll be hard for coach Kevin Gray to replace the talented class that was largely responsible for one of the best seasons in program history.
BRECKINRIDGE 105 000 04 — 10 4 1
BEECHWOOD 024 000 00 — 6 6 3
WP — Lucas. LP — Noah. HITTING LEADERS: BEE — Noll 2-4, 1 RBI; Castleman 2 RBI; Odom 1 RBI; Berger 1 RBI. BC — Ball HR, 2RBI; Tabor HR, 3 RBI. RECORDS: Beechwood 38-2, Breckinridge County 40-5.
