Danville outlasts Lafayette in KHSAA State Baseball Tournament

LEXINGTON, Ky (WTVQ) – A year ago, the KHSAA State Baseball Tournament was canceled due to pandemic.  A  year later, the tournament is back with the best teams in the state facing off.

On Wednesday night, two of the best teams in the state squared off in the tournament’s second game.  Danville taking on Lafayette.
The game was scoreless through three complete innings.  Both pitchers pitched great games early on.

In the bottom of the fourth, Danville’s Christian Howe hit a deep fly to right.  That would score are run to give Danville the lead, 1-0.

In the same inning, Preston Barnes would blow the game wide open.  He would blast one to deep left field.  His two run homer extended Danville’s lead, 3-0.

In the bottom of the sixth with two outs, Lafayette’s offense came alive.  Ben Prather got a single to put two on base.  Carter Owens laid down a picture-perfect bunt to load the bases.  The next batter was Mason Pittman.  He would hit a ground ball to Preston Barnes who would make a sliding stop and then fire a throw to first for the final out of the inning.

Danville would go on to beat Lafayette, 3-0.  Admirals’ pitched Ethan Wood pitched a complete game with 8 strikeouts and only three hits.

“I felt it last night.  I got ready last night,” said Wood. “I’ve been waiting for this game and I did it, we did it.  P-Barnes he clutched up for us at the plate and we got the ‘dub’.”

Danville Head Coach Paul Morse was also impressed with his pitcher’s great outing.
“Man, he was awesome.  I mean he’s been good for us all year, actually his whole career.  He’s a stud.” said Morse. “He’s one of those pitchers who loves big games, the atmosphere.  He came out and pitched an excellent game today.”

Danville will now play McCracken County in the semifinals on Friday.