REDHOUNDS STAY ON TOP

 An outstanding performance by senior Trace Vorbeck proved to be the difference as the Corbin Redhounds downed the feisty Whitley County Colonels, 6-3 at WCHS Monday afternoon.

Vorbeck struck out 13 batters and allowed just two hits as the Redhounds upped their district record to 3-0 and stayed ahead of the pack in the standings.

The EKU signee started out on fire sitting down the first eight batters he faced. An error on catcher Brady Foley allowed Whitley County’s Corey Crisologo to reach base on what was a third strike.

The Colonels didn’t get their first hit until the bottom of the fifth.

It was far from a perfect game by the Redhounds who committed four errors while Vorbeck allowed six runners to reach base.

However, Corbin had enough firepower offensively to come away with the win.

The Redhounds (7-12) scored in five of the seven innings and put up seven hits against Whitley County freshman Steven Watson.

The pitchers fanned two of three hitters in the first inning. It was a one-out error in the top of the second that allowed Corbin to get started offensively. Marcus Kuhl’s ground to short was bobbled by Tillmon Jackson.

Watson then hit Zach Duncum with a pitch and the runners moved up a base on a passed ball. The Redhounds loaded the bases when Austin Combs walked,

Corbin’s Jacob Metzger answered with a grounder up the middle to score Kuhl while Duncum held at third.

Watson got out of trouble when Keaton Burton popped out on an infield fly and Zach Farley popped out to Jackson at short. Corbin came away with a 1-0 lead after Vorbeck struck out the side in the bottom of the inning.

The Redhounds scored twice in the top of the third for a 3-0 lead. Matt Jewell led off with a double to left center field and Vorbeck followed with a RBI single up the middle. Vorbeck went to third on the throw to the plate then scored on a Foley sacrifice grounder to third.

Although Vorbeck was credited with the unusual four strike out third inning, Crisologo was the first Colonel to reach base. He stole second with two outs, but Jackson struck out to end the inning.

The Redhounds left the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, but did get one run across the plate. Burton hit a high hopper to short that Jackson was unable to make a play on. With the hit and run on by Corbin Coach Rob Ledington, Farley drilled a hit into left field that was misplayed. Burton scored to put the ‘Hounds ahead 4-0.

Corbin loaded the bases when a pitch hit Jewell and Vorbeck drew a walk with one out. Once again, an infield fly by Foley and a pop out by Kuhl killed the chances for a Corbin streak of runs.

Whitley County (7-6) scored in the bottom of the fourth when Tyler Sears drew a walk from Vorbeck. Sears stole second and went to third on a passed ball. Johnny Mahan drew a walk as well, but was shot down by Foley trying to steal second.

A wild pitch allowed Sears to put the Colonels on the scoreboard before Vorbeck could get out of the inning.

The Colonels closed the gap to 4-2 with a run in the fifth. Watson reached base on a hit between first and second. Brent Logan went into run for the Whitley County pitcher and stole second. Cody Lewis tried to bunt Logan to third, but was called out when his third strike bunt went foul. A pair of passed balls allowed Logan to score before Vorbeck struck out Crisologo.

The teams added a run each in the sixth inning. Jewell walked for the Redhounds with one out and scored on a Foley RBI single. In the bottom of the inning, two Corbin errors allowed Jackson to score.

Jackson reach first when his hit to second was mishandled. He went to second on a passed ball and to third when Vorbeck’s pickoff attempt went into the outfield. He scored on a sacrifice bunt by Sears.

Corbin added its final run in the top of the seventh when Duncum reached base on a third-strike error by Lewis. Duncum stole second then scored on a Metzger hit to left field.

Vorbeck finished the seventh by striking out two of the three hitters and getting one to ground out.

The teams were scheduled to complete the series at Corbin Tuesday afternoon. Corbin will be in action Thursday at Don House Field against the Knox Central Panthers. They will travel to Southwestern Friday before taking on Harlan County and South Warren Saturday.

The Colonels will be at Pulaski County Friday then host Williamsburg Monday.

Corbin 6, Whitley Co. 3

Corbin              012  101  1- 6  7  4

Whitley Co.            000  111  0- 3  2  4

Trace Vorbeck and Brady Foley. Steven Watson and Cody Lewis. W-Vorbeck, L-Watson. 2B-Jewell (C).