No-Hitter

Senior Ted Clifford tossed a 7-0 no hitter as the Whitley County Colonels opened district play at Briar Creek Park in Williamsburg Monday afternoon. The right-hander struck out eight Williamsburg batters and allowed only two runners to reach base, one by way of a walk and the other on an infield error.

Whitley County senior Cody Jones made the most of his day at the plate even without a hit. Jones drew four walks, stole five and scored three of the seven runs.

“I felt like we played very well,” said Whitley County Coach Rob Ledington. “We only committed one error and Clifford threw a no-hitter.”

It could have been much worse because the game was halted in the top of the seventh with the Colonels leading 12-0 due to rain.

Jones got the Colonels off to a quick start when he drew a walk from freshman Jarod Barton. Jones stole second and went to third on a ground out by Jeremy Berta. Senior shortstop David Rose then drove in Jones with a double down the left field line.

Barton struck out Clifford and got Travis Inman to ground out to the mound to end the inning.

It was a pitcher’s contest over the next inning and a half as ten straight batters went down in order. Jones drew a walk during his second battle at the plate. He stole second and third then scored on an infield hit by Jeremy Berta, giving the Colonels a 2-0 lead.

The Yellow Jackets got their lone runner in the bottom of the third when lead off batter, Steven Taylor drew a walk from Clifford. Andrew Root followed with a pop out to Rose behind second base. James Williams then hit into a double play to third to kill the Williamsburg rally.

The Colonels added a solo run in the top of the fourth when Jericho Moses hit a one-out single down the right field line. Moses stole second and went to third when Barton was called for a balk. He scored on a sacrifice bunt by Dirk Berta.

Hagan Paul nearly touched all four bases in the bottom of the fourth when he led off the inning with a hit to short that was bobbled. He went to second on a ground out by Brandon Conlin and to third on a rare passed ball by Berta.

However, Clifford struck out Ryan Moses and got Jacob Teague to fly out to end the inning.

The rain came in the top of the fifth and the Colonels struck for three runs. Jones led off with a walk, stole second and went to third on a passed ball. He scored on a ground out to Paul at second, who made a diving stop on the play.

With the Colonels ahead 3-0, Conlin came to the mound for the Yellow Jackets. Rose and Clifford greeted him with back-to-back singles before striking out Inman. Rose scored on the base hit by Clifford while the courtesy runner scored on throwing errors later in the inning.

The game was nearly stopped in the top of the sixth but play continued as the Colonels added two more runs in the inning. Dirk Berta drew a one-out walk and Trey Jarboe followed with a triple to right centerfield.

Ledington called for his second squeeze of the game and Jeremy Daniels laid down the bunt as Jarboe crossed the plate for a 7-0 lead. Jones drew his fourth walk of the game but was stranded at second.

Clifford retired the Jackets in order, all by strikeouts.

The Colonels added five runs in the top of the seventh, but were disallowed when the game was called with two outs.

The Colonels and Jackets were scheduled to play Tuesday night in the second district game at Whitley County. But, with rain forecast the game will likely be played tonight at Colonel Field beginning at 5:30. They are scheduled to host North Laurel Thursday before traveling to Corbin Monday night.

The Yellow Jackets are scheduled to play Middlesboro in the All A semifinal Thursday. They will play South Laurel in district action Monday in London and Tuesday in Williamsburg.

Whitley Co. 7, Williamsburg 0

Whitley Co.            101  132- 7  6  1

Williamsburg            000  000- 0  0  2

Ted Clifford and Dirk Berta. Jarod Barton, Brandon Conlin (5) and Cody Perkins. W-Clifford, L-Barton. 2B-Rose (WC). 3B-Jarboe (WC).

Records: Whitley Co. 3-7, Williamsburg 4-3