The Russell County Lakers didn’t waste any time advancing to their fifth consecutive district championship game.
The Lakers (24-6, 6-1) defeated Metcalfe County (2-25, 0-7) 12-0, 10-run-ruling the Hornets in five innings.
Russell County jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first inning. An RBI double by Mayes Gosser scored Trace Stringer and an error by Metcalfe allowed Gosser to score, allowing the Lakers to take a 2-0 lead with no outs.
After a pop out on the next play, two walks loaded the bases, followed by a Laker line out for the second out.
With only one out to work with, Russell County ripped off seven runs: an RBI single by Bryce Cowell, who later scored on a passed ball; a two-RBI single by Maxon Gosser, who also scored on an error by the pitcher; and RBI singles from Mayes Gosser and Nathan Lawson.
In the second inning, Stringer hit a two-RBI double to score Cowell and Maxon Gosser to put the Lakers up 11-0.
The final Laker score was a historic one, as Lawson hit his 11th home run of the season. That solo shot to center field gave him the school record for home runs in a season.
On the mound, Cody Luttrell pitched four innings, striking out eight batters and allowing only one hit.
Nick Aaron pitched one inning and pulled off the rare feat of striking out four batters in one inning, with one of the Metcalfe batters reaching on a dropped third strike.
The Lakers will face off against Clinton County (14-10, 4-3) in the district championship tonight, Tuesday, May 17, at 6 p.m. at Laker Field. Clinton defeated Cumberland County in the district semifinals by a score of 11-0, forcing the 10-run rule in six innings.
Russell County defeated the Bulldogs in the teams’ two matchups this season: a 2-0 win on April 21 and a 13-0 victory in their most recent game.
