Lee County eliminated from playoffs

MARIETTA — The clock struck midnight for Cinderella on Thursday afternoon when the Pope Greyhounds eliminated the Lee County Trojans from the state playoffs. Game information from Thursday’s afternoon’s game was not available, but Lee County did lose and are eliminated from the playoffs after winning in the first two rounds.

The Trojans took the first game Wednesday in Marietta 8-7 but the Pope Greyhounds blasted their way through game two, winning 18-8.

In Game 1, senior right hander Matt Cooper picked up his 11th win of the season on the mound for the Trojans as he pitched six innings, giving up 10 hits and three earned runs. He struck out six batters. Leading 8-6, Seth Nelson came onto the mound to pitch the seventh inning, giving up one run, but holding the lead and earning the save.

The Trojans opened up an early lead, scoring five runs in the first two innings before the Greyhounds could get on track. The Trojans belted a total of eleven hits, led by Spencer Hanson who had three hits including a double. Hill Coley added two hits and batted in four runs, while Chase Somers knocked in two runs with two hits in three at bats.

The Pope bats came alive in Game 2 and racked up 10 hits in the first 3 1/3 innings against Lee County starter Jacob Barwick. Barwick took the loss on the mound for the Trojans.

Lee County showed their own offensive talents, scoring eight runs for the second straight game against the defending state champions. Spencer Hanson was 3-4 double and an RBI. Seth Nelson was 2-3. Hill Corley was 1-2 with 3 RBIs (seven on the day). Freshman Luke Powell and Luke Addison had RBIs.

Staff Photos: Joe Whitfield