DOMINATING

In a dominating performance, Corbin junior Trace Vorbeck had an outstanding day for the Redhounds in the 13^th Region Baseball Tournament’s opening round in Manchester Monday.

Harlan County had no answer for the hard throwing right-hander as he limited the Black Bears to three runners and one lone hit in the six innings of work on the mound. At the plate, Vorbeck was a terror, hitting two home runs and a double accounting for three RBI’s in the 7-0 win over the 52^nd district champions.

Being the visiting team, Corbin didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard. Vorbeck led off the game with a home run over the left center field fence.

Senior Ryan Clouse followed Vorbeck and was hit by a pitch. Brady Foley then stepped to the plate and hit a single sending Clouse to third base. Although Josh Coppock hit a deep fly ball to center field that was caught, it did allow Clouse to score the second run of the inning.

Senior Drew Farley followed with a double to right center field driving in Foley for a 3-0 margin. Zack Farley came through with a base hit before brother, Drew, was picked off going to third. Zack Farley was stranded when Hunter Grubb went down swinging.

The only hit Harlan County could manage against Vorbeck came in the bottom of the first when Braxton Fields stepped to the plate. He was stranded as the next two Black Bears went down in order.

Dalton Terry got things started in the top of the second with a single, but Zack Duncum eliminated him from the bases on a fielder’s choice. Vorbeck then cleared the bases with his two-run homer over the left center field fence.

Harlan County (21-12) tried to rally in the bottom of the third when Fields reached base once again on an infield error. But, senior catcher Corey Lanham teamed up with shortstop Clouse to throw him out trying to steal second.

The Redhounds (19-19) missed an opportunity to score in the top of the fourth when Terry hit a one-out single. After Tyler Boggs struck out Duncum, Vorbeck delivered another big hit, a double to right center field. With the two runners in scoring position Clouse hit a ground ball in front of the plate. Terry was tagged out coming home to end the inning.

Corbin added two runs in the top of the fifth. Coppock hit a one-out single in the hole at short and Drew Farley followed with a single to left field. Coppock moved to third on the play. He would score on Zack Farley’s ground ball to short for the routine out.

Grubb followed with a base hit up the middle to send Drew Farley home for the 7-0 lead.

Harlan County’s best chance to score came in the last two innings of the game. In the sixth, James Bond led off the inning by hitting into an infield error. Scotty Bailey walked before Fields moved the runners into scoring position. Vorbeck took care of the next two hitters, striking out Boggs and Chris Southerland.

Corbin left two runners stranded in the top of the seventh when Foley led off the inning with a single. He stole second before Coppock flew out to right field. Drew Farley was walked and Zack Farley hit a grounder down the third base line. Foley was tagged out on the play. Grubb struck out to end the inning.

Coach Rob Ledington sent senior Omar McDaniel to the mound to relieve Vorbeck from the 94-degree heat. McDaniel got Conley to line out to Terry at third, then struck out Andrew Dozier.

However, he got into a little trouble when Ryan Cope hit a single to left field and he walked Stephen Dozier. Aaron Johnson followed with a base hit up the middle and the bases were loaded.

McDaniel finished off the save by getting Bailey to fly out to Coppock in center field.

The Redhounds were scheduled to take on North Laurel in the semifinals Tuesday night, but they were too late for this edition. Check out our website, www.thenewsjournal.net for details of that game Thursday.

Corbin 7, Harlan Co. 0

Corbin              320  020  0- 7  11  2

Harlan Co.       000  000  0- 0    3  1

Trace Vorbeck, Omar McDaniel (7) and Corey Lanham. Tyler Boggs, James Bond (6), Aaron Johnson (7) and Eddie Conley, Tyler Boggs (6).  WP-Vorbeck, L-Boggs. 2B-D. Farley (C)., Vorbeck ((C). HR-Vorbeck 2 (C).