Miranda H. Lewis
Carter County Times
West Carter holds off Rose Hill
The West Carter Comets hosted Rose Hill Christian in an evenly matched affair on Monday, March 27.
Christian Manning got the start as pitcher and struck out three batters over two innings.
Rose Hill opened the top of the first by stealing second base with a single into the right center, the runner went on to score from second to home.
Corey Hedge ushered the Comets into the bottom of the first by delivering a two-RBI single.
West Carter’s Hayden Hall got a single, yielding two runs.
Manning made an early exit in the top of the third, making way for Ty Stinson.
Stinson worked four innings in the circle for the Comets, allowing three hits and striking out eight.
The Comets scored two runs in the bottom of the third on a two-run double by Xavier Rose.
With runners on second and third base in the bottom of the fourth for West Cater, Rose hit a single into left field.
Following suit, Jake Carter hit a fielder choice.
West Carter led 6-5 at the top of the fifth.
Hedge closed out the game on the mound, striking out two with zero hits on nine pitches.
The Comets struggled to find their offensive rhythm, but ultimately pulled through with a 10-9 victory.
Kale Back went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Carter went 2-for-5 with three RBI’s.
West Carter will regroup to host Fleming County on April 7.
East Carter looks to rattle bats at Cal Ripken Experience
For many varsity high-school baseball teams across the Bluegrass State, spring break has a different meaning.
It is more like spring busy as plenty of tournaments take place to usher in America’s favorite pastime.
The East Carter Raiders traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to compete in the Cal Ripken Experience, April 2-5.
Off to a 4-1 start for the 2023 season, the defending 62nd district champions have seemingly not missed a beat since winning it all in 2022.
The Raiders have performed very well at the tournament in years past. In 2022, they went 3-1.
“I look very forward to the Cal Ripken Tournament every year,” said junior Andrew Tomolonis. “Traveling and playing against teams from all over the country helps us to build relationships as teammates.”
East Carter under Jeremiah Shearer has three seniors, including Harley Bowen, Samuel Hamilton and Connor Skaggs on a squad loaded with twelve seasoned juniors that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the 16th Region.
Bowen and Tomolonis return to the mound this season.
The strong pitching duo tossed a combined 116.2 innings to earn 13 wins last season. The two allowed 75 hits and only 42 runs.
Tomolonis, a versatile player, will primarily cover the hot corner for the Raiders defense.
Skaggs has earned his place as East Carter’s first basemen.
Tate Scott covers second base and twin brother, Ty, is at shortstop.
The Scott brothers and Skaggs will also step in to relieve Bowen and Tomolonis in pitching rotation for the 2023 season.
Hamilton, Levi Hutchinson, Evan Goodman, Blake Hall, Caleb Layne, Colin Pennington, Elijah Ramey and Logan Rice will cover the outfield for the Raiders.
Jaxon Barker will be starting as catcher.
The Raiders say they want to go far and are ready to reach their full potential.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our team improve and seeing what we can do in the 16th Region tournament,” added Tomolonis.
After winning their first district title in four years, East Carter is gearing up for a back-to-back run in the 62nd District to try to replicate a stellar 2022 season.
Contact the writer at miranda@cartercountytimes.com