Published: May 21, 2008 04:29 pm            

Indians move into finals with 11-1 win

RICHMOND — Tyler Mays delivered, and so did Madison Central’s high-powered offense.

The junior left-hander allowed just three hits and the Indians got contributions from every spot in the lineup as they rolled to a 11-1, five-inning win over Madison Southern Tuesday in the opening round of the 44th District Tournament at Turkey Hughes Field.

Central had just nine hits, including three by senior Drew Park, but that was more than enough support for Mays.

“Tyler stepped up and did what we asked him to do,” Central coach Steve Roof said. “He just competes.”

With the win, the Indians advance to Thursday’s championship game where they will face Berea Community and also secured a spot in next week’s 11th Region Tournament.

Mays didn’t find out he would make the start until just hours before the game. Still, the left-hander cruised through the first three innings, before working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth.

He walked James Royal to lead-off the fifth, then was replaced by Jordan Horn after giving up a single to John Helton.

“I felt good,” Mays said. “I just couldn’t hit my spots at the end.”

Royal did come around to score on a single by Jacob Webster, but Horn got the final three batters after Southern loaded the bases again.

Central took control with three runs in the second and continued to add onto its lead in the next two innings.

Catcher A.J. Roberts drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly, then Park ripped a two-run double. In the third, Nathan Harrison scored on a passed ball and three more runs scored on a double by senior shortstop Tyler Weaver.

“Everyone contributed,” Park said. “Whether it was a sacrifice fly or moving runners over. Everyone got it done.”

Park started the fourth with a single, Zac Coldiron and Austin Hunt both walked and Zach Harmon followed with a two-run single. Mays later added an RBI single.

After losing 14 straight games to start the season, Southern had won seven of its last 14 games heading into the postseason. Helton had two hits, but the Eagles were only able to collect five hits off Mays and Horn.

“They’ve been playing well,” Roof said. “We knew we had to be ready to play. It’s always a big game.”

Park had two singles and a double, while Harrison, Jon McQuarter and Mays each scored twice.

Royal started and went 2 2/3 innings, giving up five hits and seven runs while walking four. Andrew Mills gave up two runs on two hits in 1/3 of an inning and Phillip Acres allowed two runs in one inning of work.

Central and Berea played once during the regular season, with the Indians picking up a 12-1, five-inning win in Richmond on April 15.

        

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