PRP beats Lawrence County 4-1 to win state title

• Pleasure Ridge Park, state champs in 1994, ‘95 and ‘96, claimed its fourth title. “This is the sweetest thing in the world for these young men who worked so hard,” said Panthers Coach Bill Miller. “The first one (in ‘96), I didn’t think anything could match it. But this one’s pretty good.”
• Trey Harper was the winning pitcher. He went five innings before Zack Cox came on and finished up. Cox looked strong even though he went six innings and had 12 strikeouts in Saturday’s semifinal win over Apollo. Zach Osborne had two hits and drove in a run in the finals. Eric Bainer had two RBI on a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly.
• Jeff Cyrus gave a valiant performance on the mound for Lawrence County. He went the distance, gave up nine hits, struck out five and walked six. “He was a warrior out there,” Miller said.
• Pictured above: Zack Cox runs off the mound in celebration and catcher Eric Bainer joins him. Photo by Mark Cornelison.
• All-tournament team: Zach Osborne (MVP), Zack Cox, Eric Bainer, Taylor Banks and Zach Osborne of PRP; Lewis Michael, Chandler Shepherd, Brad Laney of Lawrence County; Nick Maronde and Michael Champa of Lexington Catholic; Tyler Edge and Richie Stanley of Apollo.
• PRP 4, LAWRENCE COUNTY 1: The Panthers added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth. Zach Osborne’s single scored Alex Hornback, and Eric Bainer’s sacrifice fly drove in Brian Hockman. We’re going to the top of the seventh, with PRP needing three outs to claim its fourth state title.
• Fireworks in the top of the fourth. On a pickoff play, PRP catcher Eric Bainer threw to third to try to get Lawrence County’s Brad Laney who was slow getting back to the bag. The ball bounced a few feet away from third baseman Zack Cox, and Laney broke for home. Cox’s throw beat Laney to the plate, and Bainer tagged out to end the inning. Bainer then spiked the ball on the turf, raising the ire of Lawrence County’s players and coaches. Bulldogs assistant Travis Feltner pushed an umpire during the protest, and was ejected. PRP failed to score in the bottom of the fourth, but still leads 2-1.

• PRP 2, LAWRENCE COUNTY 1: The Bulldogs scratched out a run. With two outs, Jeff Cyrus singled and went to second on a throwing error. Pinch runner Josh Mills scored on Tim Hayes’ single to left. PRP escaped further damage when Trey Harper struck out Jordan Miller with runners at first and third.
• Lawrence County dodged a bullet in the bottom of the second. PRP loaded the bases with one out, but Jeff Cyrus retired the Panthers’ best two hitters — Zach Osborne on a pop-up to second, and Zack Cox on a flyout to left.
• PRP 2, Lawrence County 0: The Panthers took advantage of Jeff Cyrus’ control problems in the first inning. Cyrus walked the first two batters, and Zach Osborne beat out a bunt to load the bases. Eric Bainer drew a walk to force in a run, and Taylor Banks brought in anothe run with a sacrifice fly.