MOREHEAD —
It was hard to determine which of the Russell-Flatwoods age 10-11 team members was happiest after claiming the Little League 10-11 District 6 title Friday.
It could have been pitcher Zach Pope, who pumped his right fist every time he threw a strike and clenched both after his sixth-inning single.
It could have been shortstop-pitcher Z. Snyder after his breaking ball caught a Grayson batter looking on a called strike three in the fifth inning.
Or it could have been manager Maury Williams, who bellowed “way to be” and hugged Snyder — his grandson — after the final out gave his team the District 6 title, a 15-3 win at Don Greenhill Park.
“I don't think it was me,” Pope said. “It was the team.”
Russell-Flatwoods more accurately overwhelmed the field in mercy-rule wins over Ashland National (18-5 on June 29), Fleming County (16-3 Monday), Morehead (16-5 Wednesday) and Grayson — it scored 65 runs on 52 hits.
“I have a great team,” Williams said. “They make me look good no matter what I do. They're an excellent team, and we had great pitching.”
Williams could have been talking about first baseman Josh Cox, who had three hits and an RBI single. Or he could have been speaking of center fielder Greg Mershon, who added a two-run double.
Grayson coach Bryan Scott was equally proud of his team's 3-2 record, but it was easy for him to explain what didn't help against Russell-Flatwoods.
“With nine errors, you're not going to win games,” Scott said. “The last three games, we've been hitting.”
Pope mostly stymied Grayson over 4 2⁄3 innings — he struck out six with no walks and a hit batter to go with his two-run double, single and two runs scored. Scott said Pope's slower delivery when he threw his circle changeup (three fingers on top of the ball and index finger and thumb forming an “O” on the side) kept his team off balance.
“We've seen a little off-speed stuff, but nothing like that,” Scott said.
Friday's first inning, however, made one think of a pitchers' duel. Grayson's Trey Scott struck out the side, which Pope matched with two strikeouts and a grounder.
Grayson's woes began in the second, when Mershon reached first on an error, went to second on a fielders choice, stole third and scored on Grayson's second miscue.
Russell-Flatwoods batted around in the third and scored five times doubles from Snyder, Mershon and Pope and two errors.
Grayson scored twice in the second on a wild pitch and pinch-hitter Alex Harris' grounder. Catcher Noah led his team with two singles.
An error and wild pitch led to two Russell-Flatwoods runs in the fifth, followed by seven more in the sixth on three Grayson errors and third baseman Zach Osborn's single.
Russell-Flatwoods advances to the state tournament beginning July 20 in Prestonsburg. Friday, however, Snyder and Williams had one last thing on their minds – a planned barbecue celebration at Russell High School.
“I'm probably going to outdo them on the barbecue,” Williams said.
R-FLATWOODS 015 027 — 15 11 1
GRAYSON 000 210 — 3 3 9
Pope, Snyder (5) and Sligar, Thomas (2). Scott, Young (5) and Caudill. WP: Pope. LP-Scott. 2B: Snyder (R-F), Mershon (R-F), Pope (R-F).
Local Sports
Having a Good Time
Russell-Flatwoods wins 10-11 District 6 title over Grayson
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