#1 McCracken County vs. #3 St. X Showdown Headlines State Baseball Semis

After a five-day break, the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop KHSAA Baseball State Tournament starts back on Friday afternoon at Kentucky Proud Park on the campus of the University of Kentucky. The finals are scheduled for Saturday at 7:00 P.M. 

Semifinal Previews

#17 Russell County (30-6, .612 RPI) vs Woodford County (26-13, .589 RPI) – Friday, June 10 at 12:30 PM EST

As they have all season, Russell County relied on dominant pitching from KHSBCA first-team all-state aces, Nathan Lawson (10-2, 0.85 ERA) and Cody Luttrell (12-0, 0.50 ERA), to make the semifinals. Lawson, an EKU commit, allowed only two hits and added a RBI in a 2-1 first-round win over Madison Central. Luttrell pitched a four-hit shutout in a 1-0 quarterfinal win over #6 Beechwood.

Woodford County is led by junior pitcher Cole Dycus (9-1, 0.68 ERA) who was named second-team all-state. The Yellow Jackets are on a seven-game win streak, including a 7-2 win in the 8^th region tournament finals over #9 North Oldham. James Hollon was 3-for-4 with three RBIs to help Woodford to beat DeSales in the first round of state. Brandon Rankin (4-for-5) and Taylor Penn (4 RBIs) had good games in a 10-3 victory over Boyd County in the state quarterfinals.

#1 McCracken County (35-6, .660 RPI) vs #3 Louisville St. Xavier (32-10, .641 RPI) – Friday, June 10 at 6:30 PM EST

The St. Xavier Tigers are seeking their 4^th state title since 2014 and 10^th overall — they have not lost a state tournament game since 2013. Their calling card is pitching and defense. The deep and talented stable of pitching includes two U of L commits:  junior Ty Starke (7-0, 1.13 ERA) and sophomore Jake Gregor (4-3, 2.82 ERA). 

The Tigers have outscored opponents 37-0 in their last four postseason games, including an 11-0 domination over #1 Trinity in the 7^th region finals. Senior catcher Jake Bennett (.434 AVG, 64 RBI, 13 HR) leads an offense that has been rounding into form lately. He is first in the state in RBIs. Junior Cooper Smith, a defensive back on the state title football team, leads the team with a .450 batting average. Bennett (first-team), Starke (second) and Smith (third) were all named to the all-state team.

The McCracken County Mustangs are seeking their first state title in their short but storied history. In the semifinals for the sixth straight tournament, they will need to get by St. X to make their third straight trip to the state finals. The Mustangs’ first trip to the state semifinals ended with a 3-2 loss to the Tigers back in 2016. St. Xavier also defeated McCracken County 5-2 last month in Paducah.  

The Mustangs are led by dual-threat Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year Jack Bennett (8-1, 1.42 ERA, .466 AVG, 8 HR), a WKU commit. After allowing only five earned runs all year, Bennett allowed seven in the opening round 16-9 victory over Hazard but bopped a three-run home run in the first inning to help his cause.  

Dude gets named the Kentucky Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year today then hits a 2 run bomb in his first at bat today in the first round of state. @JackBennett04
McCracken County leads 3-0 over Hazard after only 3 batters. @EricChumbler @chelseabrooke @Region1Sports pic.twitter.com/vajGwzX1eo

— Troy Howell (@teeroyhowell) June 3, 2022

Sophomore Ross Aldridge (6-1, 2.66 ERA), a U of L commit, pitched only 2 1/3 innings in the 4-3 quarterfinal victory over Campbell County. He allowed two runs (one earned) before sophomore Caleb Ehling (4-2, 1.75 ERA) came in to pitch the final 4 2/3 innings.  

Team rankings are courtesy of Prep Baseball Report.