CORBIN SOFTBALL CHAMPS

Thornton’s Towing proved that defense does win championships Monday night as they held Mark HVAC scoreless in the championship game of the Corbin Summer Softball League at Miller Park. Thornton’s, sponsored by Thornton’s Towing of Williamsburg and Thunder Sam Fireworks of Jellico, defeated Corbin’s Mark’s Heating and Air, 11-0.

Thornton’s played a flawless defense to win the game, allowing only five hits while ringing up 11 runs on 10 hits to take the championship in five innings.

Jeremy Taylor, John Nelson and Aaron Taylor all scored in the top of the first inning as Thornton’s took a 3-0 lead in the game. Aaron Taylor hit the first of two home runs that help propel Thornton’s to the title.

The second inning saw more offense by Thornton’s when Steve Jarboe and Ben Nelson battled their way on base. Consecutive hits by Jeremy Taylor, John Nelson, Aaron Taylor and a home run by Matt Singleton pushed the lead to nine runs. Singleton had a two run shot in the inning.

Mark HVAC threatened in the top of the third when Chance Hendrickson hit a single with two outs. Jimmy Hendrickson followed with a walk before B.J. Foley popped out to first to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth Josh Riley led off the inning with a single and Tyler Hendrickson answered with a base hit. Logan Mattlock flew out to left field. Conrad Cessna hit into a double play to end the inning.

Thornton’s added two runs in bottom half of the inning after Jeremy Taylor reached base on an infield error. He actually took two bases on the play and went to third on a sacrifice by John Nelson.

Brother, Aaron, followed with a run-scoring single and went to second on the play to the plate. Matt Singleton drew a walk before Adam Parks drove in Taylor for an 11-0 score.

Mark HVAC tried to keep the game going in the top of the fifth when Brandon Hensley hit a one-out single. However, the next two batters went down in order as Thornton’s claimed the tournament title.

Aaron and Jeremy Taylor were perfect at the plate, going three-for-three and scoring six of the winners’ 11 runs. Jordan Singleton was two-for-two while John Nelson was two-for-three with two runs scored.

Tyler Hendrickson was two-for-two for Mark HVAC.

•In the semifinals, Mark HVAC routed Mojo, 31-17 while Thornton’s defeated CDB, 21-11.

In the win over Mojo, Tyler Hendrickson led the winners with three home runs, going four-for-six in the game. Jimmy Hendrickson went five-for-six with four runs including a home run. Riley was six-for-six with a home run, double, single and three walks. He scored five times in the win.

Mojo grabbed a 7-4 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a Jeff Gambrel grand slam home run. Runs by Ryan Davenport, Rocky Moses and Darrell Moses pushed Mojo ahead by three runs.

The lead changed hands in the top of the second as Mark’s HVAC scored four times for a one-run lead, 8-7. But, three runs in the home half of the inning saw Mojo take the lead (10-8) on back-to-back home runs by Gambrel and Mike Maxey.

Mojo was able to stretch the lead to 14-9 in the third inning when Maxey hit a grand slam.

However, the big inning came for Mark’s in the fourth when they scored eight runs. Jimmy Hendrickson and Tyler Hendrickson had home runs in the inning. Mark’s led 17-14 going into the bottom of the inning.

Mojo was unable to keep pace and scored just one run. They trailed 17-15 heading into the fifth.

Mark’s broke the game open in the top of the seventh with a nine-run attack. Tyler Hendrickson and Riley hit home runs in the inning when Chance Hendrickson, Jimmy Hendrickson and Foley nailed doubles.

Down, 30-17, Mojo failed to answer the challenge.

In the second semifinal, Thornton’s broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning with four runs and never looked back. They added six runs in the third for a 10-0 lead. Parks hit home runs in the second and third innings to lead the winners. Taylor Mitchell scored two runs in the onslaught as well.

CDB rallied in the bottom of the third, scoring seven runs to pull within three. Nate Stevens had a two-run double and David Rose had an extra base hit.

Thornton’s added four runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and five in the sixth to put the game away in six innings.

Parks had three home runs and was four-for-four in the win. Jeremy Taylor was five-for-five with three runs scored.

Thornton’s 11, Mark HVAC 0

Mark HVAC            000  00-   0    5  1

Thornton’s            360  2x- 11  10  0

Thornton’s HR-A. Taylor, Parks.

Mark HVAC 30, Mojo 17

Mark HVAC            441  831  9- 30  32

Mojo                        734  120  0- 17  22

Mark HR- T. Hendrickson, J. Hendrickson, Riley, Cook, Foley Mojo HR-Gambrel, Moses, Maxey.

Thornton’s 21, CDB 11

Thornton’s            046  425- 21  25

CDB                        007  130- 11  10

Thornton’s HR- Parks (3). CDB HR- Thomas.