Region D Baseball Finals

**imported_Coach** · June 1st, 2007, 08:49 AM

don't be surprised if castlewood hangs right there with kelly.

**imported_BleedingBlue** · June 1st, 2007, 08:52 AM

Yeah it just depends on which team shows up.. They have been so inconsistent this year that it's hard to say how the game will go.. The 2 teams haven't already played each other this year have they?

**Unchained** · June 1st, 2007, 01:32 PM

We feel your pain. Not having Cody Bently on he mound this year has sucked for us too.

**imported_BleedingBlue** · June 1st, 2007, 10:15 PM

Congratulations to Kelly on their big (and I mean BIG) win tonight!! 24-3 over Castlewood.. The Devils struggled pretty much all around tonight and never could get it going.. But Kelly is a very solid team, no doubt the best in the region. They deserved the title! Good job guys!

**imported_Virgil** · June 2nd, 2007, 12:18 PM

Wow! I left in the bottom of the third when Kelly was up 10-0. I just moved to the area from Bristol and i believe Kelly has a good chance to win state. Good luck Indians!

**Unchained** · June 2nd, 2007, 02:05 PM

Congrats to the INDIANS on winning yet another Region D Championship. Sounds like we found our offense. Now it is time to host a solid Glenvar club. We'll have to play outstanding baseball to defeat them (as well as Grayson County evidently).

**Unchained** · June 2nd, 2007, 02:08 PM

Kelly loses coin flip, waylays Castlewood for Region D title

Saturday, Jun 02, 2007 - 12:00 AM

BY Anthony Stevens
Sports Correspondent

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BY ANTHONY STEVENS

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

WISE ? J.J. Kelly lost the coin flip and was the visiting team on their home turf Friday night at Shupe Field.

But that was the only thing that went wrong for the Indians, as they easily disposed of Castlewood 24-3 to claim the Region D baseball title.

"A lot of things went right for us," said coach Dave Wyrick, who won his first regional title at J.J. Kelly. "We had a little heart-to-heart [talk] before the game and we came out and played like we were capable."

The Indians banged out 17 hits and it was spread up and down the line-up, with 10 different players getting at least one hit. Matt Dotson led Kelly, driving in five runs and going 3-for-5 with two doubles.

"I was just trying to make good contact," stated Dotson. "We didn't have the best batting practice today but coach Wyrick told us to stay short and try to hit everything up the middle. We really busted out and showed what we're capable of doing."

Cody Bentley played the lead-off role to perfection, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a walk; he scored after all five of his plate appearances. Zachary Clifton, Chris Johnson and Logan Stanley each added two hits.

The Indians put 10 runs on the board through the first three innings, so the outcome was never in doubt. Castlewood only retired Kelly in order only once and it came in the seventh inning.

"As long as we can keep them all playing top-to-bottom, we're going to give ourselves a chance," Wyrick said. "My guys came out, kind of set the tone early and some I thought some things went our way."

Castlewood started Chris Smith, who took the loss. He had only thrown nine innings this season due to an injury and was noticeably rusty.

Four pitchers threw for the Blue Devils and senior Andrew Kennedy was the only one that had much success, retiring the three batters he faced.

"It's simple, we were just overpowered," Castlewood coach J.W. Salyers said. "I give Kelly credit; they have a good ball club. I like the way they play the game. I really felt we swung the bats well but did not have much pitching or defense."

The Blue Devils had nine hits in the game, with Dylan Harding the only player with two hits.

Justin Wilson pitched for the Indians and was in complete control all five innings he threw to get the win, allowing only one run and two hits while striking out seven.

J.J. Kelly will entertain Glenvar on Tuesday in the Group A state quarterfinals. The Blue Devils will still advance to state, making an appearance for the first time since 1994 when they were in Region C (Hogoheegee District) and lost to Powell Valley.

Castlewood will also play on Tuesday when it travels to Grayson County.

J.J. Kelly 334 086 0?24 17 4

Castlewood 000 102 0?3 9 5

Wilson, Stanley (6) and Koop. Smith, C. Phillips (3), Bush (5), Kennedy (7) and M. Phillips. W"?Wilson (7-3). L"?Smith (1-1).