YSE File Photo
It was a pitcher’s duel of epic proportions Friday night in Muhlenberg County. Hopkinsville’s J.J. Thompson and Muhlenberg County’s Peyton Cary are two of the best pitchers in Western Kentucky and Friday night they faced off against one another, and neither would ultimately get the decision.
Cary, along with Dalton Brigance, combined to throw 9 innings of no-hit ball as the Mustangs took a 1-0 walk-off extra-inning win over the Tigers. Muhlenberg County got the win when Deacon Addis singled with two outs in the bottom of the 9th and the Tigers then mishandled the ball, allowing the winning run to score.
The two starting pitchers were almost untouchable. Cary came into the game with an ERA of 0.71 and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 69 to 8. Thompson, who has signed with Wright State, entered the night with an ERA of 0.41 and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 66 to 16.
Thompson went 8 innings and gave up just two hits, striking out 12 and walking 3. Cary went seven innings, giving up no hits, striking out 13 and walking one.
Cary’s relief, Dalton Brigance, came up with a masterful two innings of work, giving up no runs on no hits, striking out five, and walking none. Brigance would pick up the win for his effort out of the bullpen.
Andrew Mayes was tagged with the loss for Hopkinsville. Mayes pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up one run on two hits. He did not have a strikeout or a walk during his appearance in the bottom of the ninth.
