LCA’s Ross signs with Rangers

Robbie Ross had a 5-2 record and 1.51 ERA for LCA this spring

The University of Kentucky’s loss is the Texas Rangers’ gain.

Robbie Ross, rated one of the top high school left-handed pitchers in the nation during his senior season at Lexington Christian Academy, signed with the Texas Rangers Friday night for a $1.575 million bonus.

“I’m really excited. It’s unbelievable to get this opportunity,” said Ross, who was taken by the Rangers in the second round as the 57th overall pick in the June draft.

Before the draft, Ross said it would take $1.575 million to sign him, and that’s what he got.

Ross and his parents, Chuck and Julie, spent the last few days in Texas, and agreed on a contract before Friday’s midnight deadline. He put his name on the dotted line in Arlington just before 10 p.m. EDT.

If Ross and the Rangers hadn’t come to terms, Ross, who signed a letter of intent with UK last fall, would have returned home and enrolled in college.

Instead, Ross is now a professional baseball player.

“It was hard to call UK and tell them I was going pro,” Ross said. “But this is what I’ve always wanted.”

In a last-ditch attempt to sign Ross, the Rangers flew him to Texas on Tuesday night, and put him through a few paces.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound lefty underwent a physical, and attended a game in Frisco (Tex.) where the Rangers’ Class AA affiliate, the Roughriders, play. He threw in the Frisco bullpen in front of a Texas pitching scout.

On Friday night, Ross was at the Rangers’ game with Tampa Bay and soaked up the big-league atmosphere.
“It was crazy,” he said. “I even got to meet Nolan Ryan.”

Ross said he and his parents were impressed with the Rangers. “From what I’ve seen, it’s a great organization, great people and they have an unbelievable stadium,” he said.

Ross had a 5-2 record with a 1.51 earned run average, 75 strikeouts and nine walks in 51 innings this season. He also had a .473 batting average with 22 RBI and 21 runs.

Ross and Lexington Catholic pitcher Nick Maronde were runners-up in Mr. Baseball voting to winner Zach Cox of Pleasure Ridge Park.

Chuck Ross, Robbie’s dad, was a standout catcher at Tates Creek and was the 27th overall pick (taken by the Milwaukee Brewers) in the 1975 draft. Chuck Ross signed with the Brewers out of high school.

Martin retiring as LexCath baseball coach

Rodney Martin shared his feeling with an umpire in this year's state tourney

Rodney Martin, who led Lexington Catholic to state baseball championships in 1999 and 2006, is retiring as coach and teacher at his alma mater.

“I’ve been thinking about it the last three or four years, and after this season, I decided it’s time to move on,” he said.

Martin, 42, wouldn’t say what he intends to do, but added that he has “some options.” When the sports seasons come around, he will be in the stands watching his son Taylor, a sophomore, play basketball and baseball for Lexington Catholic.

Lexington Catholic got off to a slow start this spring and had a .500 record in early May. But the Knights finished strong and made it to the state semifinals before losing to Lawrence County.

“Last season was the most rewarding I’ve ever had as coach,” Martin said, “because we were down early in the year but were able to come back.”

Martin was a baseball and basketball star at Lexington Catholic in the early 1980s. He played baseball at UK for two years before transferring to Cumberland University in Tennessee where he played baseball and basketball.

He coached on the college level for a few years, and at Lebanon High School in Tennessee for four years before returning to Lexington Catholic for the 1995-96 school year.

The Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association has Martin with a record of 338-80 in 13 years with the Knights.

Dunbar hires Poynter as new baseball coach

Larry Poynter

Larry Poynter, who spent the last four years rebuilding Bryan Station’s baseball program, is moving across town to become the new coach at Paul Dunbar.

“It’s a bittersweet deal because I’ve developed a lot of great relationships at Bryan Station,” Poynter said. “But Dunbar is one of the top five baseball schools in Kentucky, so it was a very attractive job. I’m excited about leading Dunbar baseball into a new chapter.”

Poynter replaces Mickey Marshall, who led the Bulldogs to state championships in 2003 and 2007. Marshall was suspended in early May from his coaching and teaching duties pending an investigation into allegations of financial misconduct. He has since been charged with three felony counts of failure to make required disposition of property over $300. He will be arraigned in Fayette District Court on Aug. 7.

Poynter was an assistant coach at Tates Creek, his alma mater, for 10 years before leaving for Bryan Station. The Defenders steadily progressed under Poynter, and posted a 15-13 record this spring, their first winning season since 2002.

Poynter is already getting acclimated to his new school. He is a football assistant on the staff of new Dunbar football coach Jason Howell.

Oops! KHSAA says Jackson ineligible, too

It turns out that both Dakotah Euton (right) and Chad Jackson (far right), high-profile basketball stars who transferred from Rose Hill Christian to Scott County, have been ruled ineligible by the KHSAA.

Scott County received two letters from the KHSAA on Tuesday, one saying that Jackson was eligible and the other saying that Euton was ineligible.

But on Wednesday morning, Scott County assistant principal and acting atheltic director Joe Pat Covington received a phone call from KHSAA commissioner Brigid DeVries saying there had been a mistake. “She told me there had been a clerical error, and that Chad Jackson was ineligible as well,” Covington said. “She then faxed us a corrected letter saying Chad was ineligible.”

Covington said he contacted Jackson’s mother and gave her the bad news. “Of course, they’re disappointed,” Covington said. “All I could do was present to her what came from the KHSAA. She indicated they will appeal the ruling.”

Joy Berry, Chad’s mother who moved from Ashland to Georgetown, declined comment except to say that she is “heart-broken” and does plan to appeal the ruling.

Clay Euton, Dakotah’s dad, said Tuesday that he plans to appeal his son’s ruling immediately. Euton, a 6-foot-8 junior, has commited to the University of Kentucky.

Covington said that as a member of the KHSAA, Scott County “will abide by the rules and by the rulings. However, if a parent elects to appeal and they ask us to present the facts of their case, we will do that.”

Scott County Coach Billy Hicks was taken aback by Wednesday’s news about Jackson, a 6-4 junior.

“I can’t believe this,” he said. “”There’s got to be some kind of rhyme or reason to all this. These are just high school kids, not pro athletes. Why do these kids and their families have to go through all this?”

PRP’s Cox named Mr. Baseball

Zack Cox, who led Pleasure Ridge Park to its fourth state title over the weekend, has been selected Kentucky’s Mr. Baseball for 2008 by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Cox is the third PRP player to earn the award. Brad Corley won it in 2002, and Scott Downs in 1994.

Cox was a standout third baseman and pitcher for the Panthers. He hit .457 this season with 46 RBI, 37 runs and 7 homers. He was 10-0 on the mound, with an 0.97 earned run average, 108 strikeouts and 16 walks in 67 innings. He was the winning pitcher in PRP’s semifinal win over Apollo, ringing up 12 strikeouts in six innings. He also pitched the last two innings of the Panthers’ victory over Lawrence County in the state championship game.

As a junior, Cox hit .524 with 57 RBI, and as a pitcher was 7-1 with a 1.44 ERA.

Cox, who signed with Arkansas, was drafted in the 20th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers two weeks ago.

PRP’s Bill Miller, who has won four state titles (2008, 1996, 1995, 1994) was named Coach of the Year. His Panthers went 38-4 this season, giving him an overall record fo 861-220 in 29 years.

Mr. Baseball winners

• 2008: Zack Cox, PRP
• 2007: Ben Revere, Lexington Catholic
• 2006: Nathan Adcock, North Hardin
• 2005: Chaz Roe, Lafayette
• 2004: Collin Cowgill, Henry Clay
• 2003: Josh Ellis, Paul Dunbar
• 2002: Brad Corley, PRP
• 2001: Jeremy Sowers, Ballard
• 2000: Spencer Graeter, Ballard
• 1999: Joe Blanton, Franklin-Simpson
• 1998: Austin Kearns, Lafayette
• 1997: Scott Hodges, Henry Clay
• 1996: Aaron McGlone, Greenup County
• 1995: Brad Wilkerson, Apollo
• 1994: Scott Downs, PRP
• 1993: Dion Newby, Harrison County
• 1992: Shon Walker, Harrison County
• 1991: Trever Miller, Trinity
• 1990: Darren Burton, Pulaski County
• 1989: Tab Brown, St. Xavier

The Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association 2008 All-State teams:

First team

• Zack Cox, PRP
• Robbie Ross, Lexington Christian
• Nick Maronde, Lexington Catholic
• Daniel Webb, Heath
• Zach Osborne, PRP
• Cory Farris, Boone County
• Jeremy Dobbs, Daviess County
• Cameron Flynn, Henry Clay
• Sean Bouthilette, Elizabethtown
• Brandon Martin, Harrison County
• Tyler Dunaway, Eastern
• Skyler Shown, Apollo
• Luke Bainer, PRP
• Tim Hayes, Lawrence County
• Tyler Hieneman, Greenup County
• Justin Amlung, St. Xavier
• Kiley Jones, Eastern
• Chad Wright, Heath
• Luke Maile, Covington Catholic
• Kal Scheler, St. Xavier

Second team

• Andrew Deeds, Trinity
• Jonathan Craycraft, Henry Clay
• Isaac Vaughn, Henderson County
• Tyler Gilliland, Christian County
• Aaron Mayfield, LaRue County
• Joe Nash, Central Hardin
• Tyler Stephan, Trinity
• Chase Greene, West Jessamine
• Eric Bainer, PRP
• Lucas Mohon, Barren County
• Drew Freeman, Estill County
• Jordan Baker, Clark County
• Trey Harper, PRP
• Blake Crabtree, Barren County
• Jeff Cyrus, Lawrence County
• Sam Kidd, Ohio County
• Eric Sanders, Scott County
• Jon Hedges, Owensboro

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.

Lawrence County 6, Lexington Catholic 0

• Lawrence County has earned a spot in the state finals, the first time a 15th Region team has been there since Paintsville won the state title in 1990. The Bulldogs will face top-ranked Pleasure Ridge Park in Saturday’s 8 o’clock championship game.
• Lewis Michael pitched great for Lawrence County. He had six strikeouts, including three in a row in the seventh. He blanked LexCath on three hits, giving the Bulldogs back-to-back shutouts in the tournament. Chandler Shepherd blanked Greenup County 4-0 in the opener
• Pictured above: Michael (No. 10) gets a hug from Lawrence County Coach Randy Keeton, center, in photo by Mark Cornelison)
• Brad Laney had a double and triple and scored twice for Lawrence County against LexCath. Ramsey Compton had a pair of RBI singles. Jeff Cyrus had a triple and single, drove in a run and scored one. Jordan Miller contributed a two-run single.
• LexCath, state champs in 1999 and 2006, ended the season 25-12. Michael Champa, who pitched four innings in the opener against Harrison County, was the losing pitcher against Lawrence County.
• LAWRENCE COUNTY 6, LEXCATH 0: The Bulldogs are in great shape going into the bottom of the seventh. They added three insurance runs in the sixth thanks to triples by Brad Laney and Jeff Cyrus, a single by Ramsey Compton, and a wild pitch by LexCath reliever Patrick Maronde.
• LexCath gets a couple hits in the top of the sixth, but can’t score. Lawrence County comes to bat in the bottom of the inning leading 3-0.
• Lawrence County leads 3-0 going into the top of the sixth, and the Bulldogs are just six outs away from making the finals for the first time. LexCath has one hit off Bulldogs’ starter Lewis Michael.
• LexCath’s offense is missing in action. The Knights are still hitless after the top of the fourth. Lawrence County 6-foot-6, 240-pound senior righthander Lewis Michael isn’t overpowering — he has three strikeouts — but LexCath can’t make good contact.
• LAWRENCE COUNTY 3, LEXCATH 0: The Bulldogs chased LexCath starter Michael Champa with a three-run second inning. Brad Laney led off with a double and came home on Ramsey Compton’s single. Lawrence County then loaded the bases on infield hits by Shane Pack and Jeff Cyrus. LexCath brought in Devon Williams in relief. He got the next two batters, but Jordan Miller ripped a two-run single to left to make it 3-0, and end a 37-inning scoreless streak by LexCath pitchers. The Knights don’t have a hit off Lawrence County’s Lewis Michael in the first three innings.
• With two outs in the bottom of the first, LexCath pitcher Michael Champa walked three batters before getting out of trouble by striking out Lewis Michael. No score going to the second inning.

Pleasure Ridge Park 11, Apollo 2

• Three-time state champ PRP is back in the state finals for the first time since 1999 when it lost to Lexington Catholic. PRP is seeking its first state title since winning three in a row from 1994-96. The Panthers are also the last Louisville team to win the state baseball championship.
• The Panthers had no trouble with Apollo. PRP pitcher Zack Cox went six innings, struck out 12 and scattered five hits in improving his record to 10-0. But he called it his “worst performance of the year” because he had some control problems (three walks). Panthers Coach Bill Miller agreed that Cox wasn’t at his best. “He didn’t have his command, if he had, he might’ve had 21 K’s,” Miller said.
• PRP sophomore designated hitter Taylor Banks led PRP’s offense with three hits and six RBI. Cox also had three hits as the Panthers ran their record to 37-4.
• Apollo starter Skyler Shown lasted less than two innings, and Ethan Blandford came on in relief but lasted less than an inning as PRP had its offense in high gear.
• PRP 11, APOLLO 1: It has turned into a rout as PRP scored four runs with two outs in the top of the seventh. Taylor Banks’ two-run single highlighted the inning, giving him six RBI for the day.
• We’re going to the top of the seventh and PRP still leads 7-1. PRP ace Zack Cox has 12 strikeouts — two in each inning so far.
• PRP 7, APOLLO 1: The Eagles finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Logan Robbins had a lead-off double, and scored on Richie Stanley’s bloop single to center. But PRP pitcher Zack Cox still looks strong. He has 10 strikeouts in five innings.
• PRP 7, APOLLO 0: It looks like PRP has punched its ticket for the finals after getting three more runs in the fourth. Designated hitter Taylor Banks collected his third and fourth RBI of the game with a two-run single. Apollo reliever Ethan Blandford hit a batter and walked three more to force in a run and set the table for Banks.
• PRP 4, APOLLO 0: It was a bad third inning for Apollo. After PRP’s Zack Cox singled and Eric Bainer followed with a double, Apollo starter Skyler Shown was pulled. Ethan Blandford came on, and was immediately victimized by a couple errors by eighth-grade catcher Dalton West that allowed two runs to score.
• PRP 2, APOLLO 0: The Panthers strung together three hits — a single by Zack Cox and doubles by Eric Bainer and Taylor Banks — to take the lead in the top of the second inning. PRP could have had more. It had the bases loaded with one out, but Apollo’s Skyler Shown did a good job limiting the damage.
• No score after one inning. Apollo’s Skyler Shown retired PRP 1-2-3. PRP’s Zack Cox walked two batters, but got out of the mini-jam.

State baseball semifinals postponed until Saturday

Friday night’s rainy weather — and a forecast for more storms to come — means the semifinals of the Forcht Bank State Tournament will be pushed back to Saturday at Applebee’s Park.

The revised schedule:

• Apollo vs. Pleasure Ridge Park, noon
• Lexington Catholic vs. Lawrence County, 2:30

The championship game, originally scheduled for 7 p.m., will start instead at 8 p.m.

State baseball semifinal schedule

The matchups for Friday’s final four in the Forcht Bank State Tournament at Applebee’s Park:

• Apollo vs. Pleasure Ridge Park, 6 p.m.
• Lexington Catholic vs. Lawrence County, 8:30.

PRP is a three-time state champ (1994-95-96), but hasn’t been to the finals since it lost to Lexington Catholic in the 1999 title game. PRP may send ace Zack Cox (9-0, 1.06 ERA) to the mound. Apollo figures to go with senior lefty Skyler Shown (7-1, 1.55 ERA).

Lexington Catholic has won the state championship the last two times it has been here — in 1999 and 2006. The Knights’ pitchers are on quite a roll. They haven’t allowed a run in 36 consecutive innings, and just one run in the last 44 innings. Sophomore Patrick Maronde (2-1, 2.82 ERA) might be the starter in the semifinals. Lawrence County will probably go with Lewis Michael (8-1, 1.86 ERA).