The Todd County Central Rebels left no doubt Saturday night. Led by a big offensive attack and a strong pitching performance from Jase Paul Hampton, the Rebels manhandled Clinton County 10-0 in the championship game of the 4th Region All A Classic baseball tournament at Russellville High School.
The Rebels seized control of this one right out of the gate, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Two of the runs scored on a Bulldog error and another on a bases-loaded walk. The Rebels added to the lead on a two-run single from Gavyn Nolan in the top of the second.
Todd Central then dropped the hammer with five runs in the top of the fourth inning. The big hit in the inning was a bases-loaded double off the bat of Preston Rager.
For the game Jacob Brandon led the attack for the Rebels, going 2-4 with two runs scored. Preston Rager was 1-1 with a double and three RBIs. Gavyn Nolan ended up 1-2 with 4 RBIs.
Meanwhile, Clinton County had no answer for Jase Paul Hampton on the mound. Hampton pitched five innings, giving up no runs on three hits, striking out nine, and walking four.
The Rebels will now advance to take on the winner of the 3rd Region in the sectional round. That game will be hosted by the 3rd Region winner.
After the championship game, four Rebels were named to the All-Tournament team. Those four were Jase Paul Hampton, Jacob Brandon, Preston Rager, and Gavyn Nolan.
The Rebels had advanced to the championship game of the regional earlier in the evening with an 8-5 win over the Cumberland County Panthers.
Todd Central got to the lead with a big five-run inning in the bottom of the third and then held off a late-game rally attempt by the Panthers in the top of the seventh inning.
Cumberland County opened the game by roughing up Rebels’ starter Jacob Brandon in the opening inning. The Panthers opened the game with three straight singles and a wild pitch to take a 2-0 lead just a half inning into the game. But after a bit of a rough start, Brandon pretty much had his way with the Panthers over the next five innings.
Todd Central used a Panther error and an RBI single from Gavyn Nolan to trim the lead to 2-1 after one inning. The Rebels then erupted for five runs in the bottom of the third inning. Todd Central opened the inning with three straight hits, including an RBI single from Nolan. Two more errors from Cumberland County and an RBI single from Grady Reding, and the Rebel lead was 6-2.
Cumberland County trimmed the lead to 6-3 in the top of the 4th, but the Rebels immediately responded with two runs of their own coming off a double from Gavyn Nolan.
The Panthers chased Brandon in the top of the seventh as they scored two runs. They would eventually bring the tying run to the plate, but Gavyn Nolan was able to shut down the rally.
On the mound, Brandon ended up going six innings, giving up five runs on five hits. He struck out 11 and walked two. Nolan pitched one inning, giving up no runs on two hits and striking out one.
Gavyn Nolan was the story at the plate, going 3-4 with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Grady Reding ended up 1-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
