Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

From Jack C. Riley Park in Owensboro, we’re getting ready for the Final Four to begin at 9 a.m. CT (10 ET).

Boyle County faces Mercy in the winners’ bracket finals.

The loser of that game will drop down to play the winner of the other 9 a.m. game, the losers’ bracket semifinals between Lone Oak and Greenwood.

The winners’ bracket champ will await the losers’ bracket survivor.

* Mercy scores four runs in the top of the first against Boyle County.

Jordan Vorbrink singled in one run. Another scored on Erika Downey’s squeeze bunt. Two more came home on Aubrey Meiners’ base hit.

Lone Oak leads Greenwood 1-0 in the third inning.

* Mercy adds two runs, one earned, in the top of the second to take a 6-0 lead over Boyle County.

Lone Oak leads Greenwood 1-0 in the fourth inning.

* Mercy goes to the bullpen to open the second inning. Haley Twymann replaces J.J. Francis and sets Boyle County down 1-2-3. Through two complete, Mercy leads 6-0.

The Rebels also go to the bullpen, with Elyse Petrie out to open the third inning.

Lone Oak leads Greenwood 1-0 in the fifth inning.

* Boyle County mounts its first serious threat in the third inning, putting runners on second and third with one out. Mercy‘s Haley Twymann punches out the next two batters to keep the Jaguars in control, 6-0, through three innings.

Greenwood and Lone Oak are tied 1-1 in the sixth inning.

* Boyle County goes down 1-2-3 in the fourth inning, still trails Mercy 6-0 in the winners’ bracket finals.

In the losers’ bracket semifinals, Greenwood and Lone Oak are tied at 1 in the seventh.

* Mercy adds two runs in the top of the fifth to lead Boyle County 8-0.

Lone Oak caps a 2-1 eight-inning victory over Greenwood.

* In the middle of the sixth inning, Mercy leads Boyle County 8-0 in the winners’ bracket finale.

* Mercy‘s Haley Twymann strikes out the side in order. The Jaguars go to the seventh inning with an 8-0 lead over Boyle County.

* Mercy completes an 8-0 victory over Boyle County in the winners’ bracket finals.

The loss drops Boyle to the losers’ bracket finals versus Lone Oak, to start soon.

The Boyle-Lone Oak winner will face Mercy with the championship on the line at 1 p.m. CT.

If Mercy loses that game, a deciding game would follow.

* Coming off an 8-0 shutout loss to Mercy, Boyle County gets off to a good start in the losers’ bracket finals by scoring a run in the top of the first against Lone Oak.

Heather Hasty reached on a one-out double. Courtesy runner Shelby Bishop scored on Hannah Miniard‘s single to right.

* Lone Oak goes down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first, as does Boyle County in the top of the second. In the middle of the second, Boyle County leads 1-0.

* Sarah Kreuter leads off the second inning with Lone Oak‘s first hit off of Hannah Miniard, but can’t score. Through two innings, Boyle County leads 1-0.

* Lone Oak ties Boyle County in the third inning, but runs itself out of the rally.

With the bases full and nobody out, Alex Sohl drove in the run with a sacrifice fly to center. However, Whitney Asprey was doubled up as she tried to advance from first to second, and then Jacqueline Roof was caught for the third out when she tried to go from second to home.

* Lone Oak gets back-to-back two-out doubles by Whitney Aspery and Alex Sohl to score a run and take a 2-1 lead over Boyle County through five complete innings.

* In the top of the sixth, Boyle County’s K.K. Daniels rips a ground-rule double that one-hops the fence in left-center. Sammi Key follows with a gapper to right-center, but it robbed of a run-scoring hit when CF Sarah Kreuter makes a diving catch. To the bottom of the sixth, Lone Oak leads 2-1.

* Last chance for Boyle County. Through six complete innings, Lone Oak leads the Rebels 2-1.

* Boyle County comes back to tie Lone Oak 2-2, scoring a run in the top of the seventh.

Amy Woolum reaches on a one-out error, then is bunted to second by Elyse Petrie.

Lauren Richards sends a sinking liner to right, where Kelsee Henson tries for a shoestring catch. The ball gets past her for a triple, with Woolum scoring. Richards is stranded at third.

* Lone Oak wins in the bottom of the seventh.

Kelsee Henson leads off with a double, then scores when Jacqueline Roof’s sacrifice bunt is misplayed for an error. Final: Lone Oak 3, Boyle County 2.

The Purple Flash advance to face Mercy for the tournament championship.

* Mercy opens the state championship game with four consecutive hits and leads Lone Oak 3-0.

* Through three complete innings, Mercy leads Lone Oak 4-0. If the Jaguars hold on, they win the state championship. If Lone Oak comes back to win, a deciding game will follow.

* Through 4 1/2 innings, Mercy leads Lone Oak 4-0.

With teams from the Herald-Leader circulation are eliminated, I am now heading home.

Keep up with tournament scores on Twitter: @khsaaevents

Early results from the Rawlings/KHSAA Softball State Tournament, being played at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro:

Lone Oak has jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Owensboro Catholic through one inning.

Greenwood has a 1-0 lead over Mercy, also after one inning.

Boyle County holds a 3-0 lead over Estill County, in the second inning.

North Laurel and Ryle are scoreless in the second.

* Boyle County has increased its lead to 5-0 over Estill County, in the top of the fourth inning.

North Laurel and Ryle remain scoreless through 5 1/2 innings.

Greenwood still leads Mercy 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth.

Lone Oak is on top of Owensboro Catholic, 5-0 in the bottom of the third.

* To the seventh inning, North Laurel and Ryle remain locked in a scoreless battle.

Boyle County leads Estill County 5-0 in the fifth; Greenwood still leads Mercy 1-0 in the fifth; and Lone Oak has blown out to a 7-0 lead in the fourth against Owensboro Catholic.

* North Laurel and Ryle go to the eighth inning in a scoreless showdown.

Lone Oak continues to lead Owensboro Catholic 7-0 in the fifth; Greenwood still leads Mercy 1-0 in the sixth; and Boyle County maintains a 5-0 lead over Estill County in the sixth.

* Ryle edges North Laurel 1-0 in eight innings, getting a two-out, full-count RBI single by Haylee Smith. Hannah Brumbach, who drew a leadoff walk, scored for the walkoff win.

The hit was one of only three allowed by North Laurel’s Megan Baldwin, who struck out two.

Winning pitcher Ali Crupper scattered six hits and struck out three.

* Boyle County closes out an 8-0 winners’ bracket victory over Estill County.

K.K. Davis held the Engineers to four hits, striking out eight.

At the plate, Davis went 3-for-4 and drove in a run. Lauren Richards had two of the Rebels’ 13 hits, drove in a run and scored three times. Hannah Miniard had a hit and drove in two runs.

* Down to its last out, Mercy gets a two-out RBI-single by Lauren Springhetti to tie Greenwood 1-1 in the seventh. Springhetti took second on the throw to the plate. She would have scored if not for an inning-ending diving catch in right-center by Brittany Graham to rob Ally Wildt of a game-winning hit.

Meanwhile, Lone Oak has closed out a 7-1 victory over Owensboro Catholic.

* Mercy loads the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, but Greenwood pitcher Elizabeth Moss gets a come-backer to end the inning. To the ninth, Jaguars and Gators are tied 1-1.

* Mercy, Greenwood still locked in 1-1 tie through nine innings.

Losers’ bracket games are underway: Nicholas County vs. Oldham County; Ashland Blazer vs. Christian County; Johnson Central vs. Green County. Waiting for the Mercy-Greenwood game to end, Scott County will face Bullitt East.

* Mercy is batting in the bottom of the 10th inning, tied with Greenwood 1-1.

Elsewhere, Oldham County leads Nicholas County 3-0 in the second; Green County has a 1-0 lead over Johnson Central in the second; and Christian County is up on Ashland Blazer 2-0, thanks to Jasmine Matchen’s two-run homer.

* Mercy edges Greenwood 2-1 in 10 innings.

Morgan Meyer led off the inning with a bunt single, then took second on Morgan Ellington’s single to shortstop. Jordan Vorbrink brought Meyer home with a walkoff single to right-center.

* Scott County and Bullitt East are underway.

On nearby fields, Oldham County leads Nicholas County 4-0 in the fourth; Christian County has a 2-1 lead over Ashland Blazer in the fourth; and Green County leads Johnson Central 6-0 in the third.

* Scott County scores three times in the top of the first against Bullitt East. The big blow is Michaela Abney’s two-out, two-run single.

* Bullitt East scores an unearned run in the bottom of the first to cut Scott County’s lead to 3-1.

* Scott County adds a run in the top of the second to lead Bullitt East 4-1. Maddison Mullin reached on a two-out single, her second hit of the day, then scored on a fielding error.

* Ashland Blazer is clinging to a 3-2 lead over Christian County in the seventh inning.

Scott County still leads Bullitt East 4-1, now in the bottom of the third; Green County leads Johnson Central 10-3 in the sixth; and Oldham County has a 10-2 lead over Nicholas County in the sixth.

* Christian County scores three in the top of the seventh to take a 5-3 lead over Ashland Blazer.

Scott County increases its lead over Bullitt East to 5-1. Madison Mullin, now 3-for-3, ripped a two-out triple, then scored on Michael Luckett’s single.

Green County closes out a 10-3 win over Johnson Central, while Oldham County leads Nicholas County 11-5 in the sixth.

* Christian County’s three-run seventh holds up for a 5-3 win over Ashland Blazer.

Scott County leads Bullitt East 5-1 in the fifth, and Oldham County is up 11-5 over Nicholas County in the seventh.

* Oldham County completes a 14-5 victory over Nicholas County.

In the middle of the sixth, Scott County leads Bullitt East 6-1.

* Scott County bats around in the top of the seventh, scoring three times to take a 9-1 lead over Bullitt East. Madison Mullin drives in one with a single, making her 5-for-5.

* Bullitt East scores one in the bottom of the seventh, but Scott County comes away with a 9-3 victory.

Madison Mullin goes 5-for-5 to lead the Cardinals’ 14-hit attack.

Scott County will stay on the field to play North Laurel in an another elimination contest.

* Scott County and North Laurel are underway.

On adjoining fields, Oldham County and Owensboro Catholic are scoreless in the second inning; Christian County and Greenwood are tied 2-2 in the second; and Green County leads Estill County 2-0 in the sixth.

* Green County blanks Estill County 4-0 in an elimination contest.

Meanwhile, Greenwood leads Christian County 3-2 in the fifth; Owensboro Catholic leads Oldham County 2-0 in the fourth; and North Laurel leads Scott County 1-0 in the second.

* North Laurel plates four runs in the top of the third inning to take a 5-1 lead over Scott County.

* North Laurel still leads Scott County 5-1 through four complete innings.

Owensboro Catholic leads Oldham County 6-1 in the sixth.

* Greenwood has completed an 8-3 victory over Christian County.

Elsewhere, North Laurel leads Scott County 5-1 in the sixth, and Owensboro Catholic leads Oldham County 6-3 in the seventh.

* Owensboro Catholic holds on for a 6-3 victory over Oldham County.

North Laurel leads Scott County 5-1 in the middle of the sixth.

* North Laurel adds a run in the seventh, then survives a two-run rally by Scott County in the bottom of the inning for a 6-3 losers’ bracket victory.

In winners’ bracket games, Mercy leads Lone Oak 4-2 in the fifth. Boyle County and Ryle are just underway.

* Erika Downey goes 2-for-4 with three RBI as Mercy defeats Lone Oak 7-2 in a winners’ bracket contest. Winning pitcher J.J. Francis gives up two runs on seven hits.

In the other winners’ bracket game, Boyle County leads Ryle 1-0 in the fourth.

* Boyle County leads Ryle 6-0 in the sixth inning of a winners’ bracket game.

In losers’ bracket play, Owensboro Catholic and Greenwood are scoreless in the third, and North Laurel leads Green County 2-0 in the third.

* Ryle, held to one hit through five innings, rallies for three runs in the sixth inning to cut Boyle County‘s lead to 6-3. However, the Raiders leave the bases loaded.

Owensboro Catholic leads Greenwood 1-0 in the fourth, and North Laurel leads Green County 2-0 in the fifth.

* Boyle County adds a run in the top of the seventh, then retires Ryle in order to complete a 7-3 victory. That puts the Rebels into Saturday’s winners’ bracket finale versus Mercy.

In losers’ bracket play, North Laurel leads Green County 6-1 in the seventh, and Greenwood has come from behind to lead Owensboro Catholic 3-1 in the sixth.

* North Laurel completes a 6-1 elimination-game victory over Green County. Kailin Yantz and Emily Sears had two hits each for the Jaguars.

One losers’ bracket game is in progress, with Greenwood leading Owensboro Catholic 3-1 in the seventh.

* Greenwood also moves on, finishing off Owensboro Catholic 3-1.

The 2012 Rawlings/KHSAA Fast-Pitch Softball State Tournament will get underway at 5 p.m. CT (6 ET) at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro.

With four fields surrounding the press box, I’ll do my best to keep you up to date on what’s happening. (See below!)

(Also follow on Twitter: @MarkMaloneyHL )

Today’s (Thursday’s) schedule opens with Nicholas County facing Estill County; Boyle County versus Oldham County; North Laurel against Ashland Blazer; and Christian County taking on Ryle.

Late games, scheduled for 7 CT, have Mercy against Bullitt East; Scott County versus Greenwood; Owensboro Catholic facing Johnson Central; and Lone Oak tackling Green County.

The double-elimination tournament continues Friday, starting at 9 a.m. CT (10 ET). Saturday, play begins at 9 a.m. CT, with the winners’ bracket champion taking on the losers’ bracket survivor at 1 p.m. If necessary, a second game would immediately follow.

Score updates

Scott County and Greenwood are just about to get underway.

Meanwhile, Mercy leads Bullitt East 2-1 through one inning; Owensboro Catholic leads Johnson Central 1-0 in the second; while Lone Oak and Green County are scoreless in the third.

* Greenwood leads Scott County 1-0 through three complete innings.

Johnson Central and Owensboro Catholic are tied 1-1 through five complete.

Mercy is battering Bullitt East 12-1 in the third.

Lone Oak and Green County are tied 2-2 in the sixth.

* Mercy has finished off a 16-1 rout of Bullitt East.

* Greenwood adds a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth and goes on to beat Scott County 3-0.

* Owensboro Catholic edges Johnson Central 2-1, and Lone Oak tops Green County 4-3.

Early games

Boyle County 1B K.K. Davis takes the throw for the first out in the Lady Rebels' game against Oldham County.

North Laurel is the first team to score in the tournament, taking a 1-0 lead over Ashland Blazer through one inning.

* Boyle County strikes for a run in the bottom of the second inning and leads Oldham County 1-0. The Rebels used two walks, an error and a hit to score. Hannah Chadwell drew a two-out bases-loaded walk for the RBI.

On other fields, Nicholas County and Estill County are scoreless in the fourth, as are Ryle and Christian County. North Laurel still leads Ashland 1-0.

* Ashland Blazer has rallied to tie North Laurel 1-1 on McKenzie Vanover’s RBI single in the third inning. Play is now in the fourth inning.

* Boyle County is holding on to a 1-0 lead over Oldham County in the fourth inning. Nicholas County and Estill County remain scoreless in the sixth, while Ryle and Christian County are 0-0 in the fifth. Ashland Blazer and North Laurel are still tied 1-1, heading to the fifth.

* Nicholas County pushed a pair of runs across in the top of the sixth to break a scoreless tie against Estill County. Ryle and Christian County remain scoreless in the fifth. Boyle County leads Oldham County 1-0 in the middle of the fourth. And Ashland Blazer remains tied with North Laurel, 1-1, through five complete.

* Boyle County scored three runs to increase its lead to 4-0 over Oldham County through four complete innings.

Ryle also has broken through, taking a 1-0 lead over Christian County in the sixth.

North Laurel scored twice to take a 3-1 lead over Ashland Blazer in the middle of the sixth.

Nicholas County leads Estill County 2-0 in the seventh.

* Estill County rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, capped by Shelby Arthur’s two-run, two-out walkoff double, to edge Nicholas County 3-2.

Meanwhile, North Laurel closed out a 3-1 victory over Ashland Blazer, and Ryle claimed a 1-0 victory over Christian County.

Boyle County leads Oldham County 4-1 in the middle of the sixth.

* Boyle County closed out a 4-1 victory over Oldham County, completing the round of four early games.

Long-jump winner Michaela Hunter of Rockcastle County. (Maloney photo)

North Oldham takes the final event of the boys’ 2A State Track Meet, as well as the overall team title.

North topped Central for the team title, 73-63, and in the relay, 3:27.30 to 3:28.37. Tilghman finished third in team points with 55.

Covington Catholic’s Will Torbek won the pole vault at 12-9.

* Boyle County wins the final event of the girls’ 2A State Meet, getting its second relay victory of the meet in the 4-by-400, while Highlands wins the overall team standings.

Natalie Settle, Tabitha Evans, Kate Carman and Logan Arnold combined for Boyle’s 4:08.97 victory. Central was runner-up in 4:09.40.

Highlands, third in the relay, finished with 100 1/2 points. Central took second with 92. Elizabethtown edged North Oldham for third place, 55-50.

* South Warren’s Jared Skrabacz, who earlier won the 1,600 meters, added the 3,200 title (9:31.27).

Runner-up Colin Grandon picked up eight big points for North Oldham, though, giving his team a 63-55 lead over Central with two events left to go.

* The Highlands girls have reclaimed the team lead with 17 of 18 events completed. The Bluebirds have 94 1/2 points to Central’s 84. Elizabethtown is third with 53.

Highlands picked up seven points in the triple jump with a 5-6 finish by Lisa Patterson and Taylor Rosenhagen. Rockcastle County’s Michaela Hunter picked up her third win of the day with a distance of 36-11 1/4.

Highlands also scored six points in the 3,200-meter run with a third-place finish by Lauren Ossege. Caterina Karas of Collins, who earlier took the 1,600 title, won that event in 11:26.76.

* Tilghman’s J.D. Harmon, who won the triple jump earlier in the day, has taken the long jump (22-2 3/4).

With three events remaining, Central and North Oldham are tied for the team lead with 55 points each. Tilghman is third with 44.

* Zach Evans’ triumph in the 200 meters has pulled North Oldham into a first-place tie with Central in the boys’ 2A team standings, 55 each with four events to go.

Evans covered the half-lap sprint in 22.25, trailed by 100-meter winner Ryan Timmons of Franklin County in 22.71.

* A 3-6 finish in the 200 meters by Kayla Forrest and Maya Spalding has pushed Central into the team lead, 84-81 1/2 over Highlands, with three events remaining in the girls’ 2A meet.

Alisha Adair of Western Hills won the event in 25.90, followed by 400-meter/long jump winner Michaela Hunter of Rockcastle County.

* With 14 of 18 girls’ events scored, Highlands leads Central in the 2A team standings 81 1/2-75. Elizabethtown is third with 53.

Caterina Karas of Collins dominated the 1,600-meter run (5:17.87) and North Bullitt’s Chelsey Slayton snared the 800 (2:23.44).

Central’s Maya Spalding, who already won the 100-meter hurdles, also won over the 300-meter barriers (46.86), ahead of West Jessamine’s Abby Wiggins.

Lindsey Scaggs of Highlands won the pole vault by a foot at 9-6.

* With 13 of 18 boys’ events completed, Central leads North Oldham 49-45 in the 2A team standings. Tilghman is third with 34, followed by Lexington Catholic with 27.

North Oldham’s Jeremy Rice just won the 800 meters in 1:57.78. Central’s Keon Scott captured the 300-meter hurdles (39.48) and Bullitt East’s Trevor Troutman won the discus (164-11).

* With 12 of 18 events completed, Highlands has opened an 81 1/2-59 lead over Central in the 2A girls’ team standings. Elizabethtown is third with 48.

Rockcastle County’s Michaela Hunter, who won the long jump earlier in the day, repeated as champion in the 400 meters (58.60). She was the only competitor to break one minute as runner-up Alisha Adair of Western Hills clocked 1:00.19.

Other recent girls’ winners include: Hart County’s Lindsey Burd in the shot put (36-0); and Highlands in both the 4-by-100 and 4-by-200 relays.

The adapted (wheelchair) shot put went to Butler County’s Kayla Spurgeon (10-8).

* Central leads Paducah Tilghman 39-26, with Franklin County third with 25 points after 10 of 18 boys’ events.

Mercer County junior Isaiah Burrus successfully defended his title in the 400-meter dash. Burrus finished in 50.10, followed by Lexington Catholic’s Brian Babbage in 50.32.

Other recent boys’ winners include: Tilghman’s J.D. Harmon in the triple jump (46-5); South Warren’s Jared Skrabacz in the 1,600 (4:20.54); Franklin County in the 4-by-200 relay (1:31.48); and Central in the 4-by-100 relay (43.02).

The exhibition adapted (wheelchair) 100-meter dash went to Fleming County’s Lucas Cannon in 22.91.

* Highlands senior Ashley Collinsworth, daughter of TV personality and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth, wins the girls’ 100-meter days in 12.60. Alisha Adair of Western Hills takes second in 12.70.

Elizabethtown’s Clayton Patton takes the boys’ 110-meter high hurdles (15.28) over Bullitt East’s Jacob Duvall (15.57).

* Elizabethtown and North Oldham are tied for first place in the boys’ team standings through five events with 18 points each. Franklin County is third with 13.

Recent boys’ champions include: Ryan Timmons of Franklin County in the 100 (11.02); Tyler Bray of Lloyd Memorial in the high jump (6-8); and Letcher County’s Dakota Cornett in the shot put (52-6 1/2).

* Rockcastle County’s Michaela Hunter won the girls’ long jump with a leap of 17-10 1/4. Central’s Kayla Forrest was runner-up at 17-8 1/2.

Other girls’ winners include Central’s Cha’Niquia Gore in the high jump (5-2), Elizabethtown’s Denisha Nichols in the discus (114-2) and Central’s Maya Spalding in the 100-meter hurdles (15.91).

Through five of 18 events, Central leads the team standings with 31 points, five ahead of Elizabethtown.

* North Oldham takes the boys’ 4-by-800-meter relay in 8:12.40, followed by Hopkinsville in 8:16.84. Taylor Sanders, Colin Grandon, Alec Horn and Jeremy Rice ran for the winners.

Now, there is a two-hour break before the next event on the track.

* The first event completed in the Class 2A State Track and Field Meet goes to Boyle County’s 4-by-800-meter relay team. Eighth-grader Nikki Coffey led off, followed by junior Maddie Kriz, senior Rachel Ditto and sophomore Logan Arnold. Time for the “metric two-mile” was 9:57.57. North Oldham was runner-up in 10:01.16.

Fleming County’s Lucas Cannon won the boys’ adapted shot put with a distance of 15-11 from his wheelchair. This is the first year for the exhibition event.

* A thunderstorm has pushed back Thursday’s scheduled 1 o’clock start for the Class 2A State Track and Field Meet at the University of Louisville.

However, the sky has cleared and athletes have now resumed warmups.

When conditions allow, the boys’ shot put, girls’ discus and girls’ 4-by-800 relays will be first to begin at Owsley Frazier Cardinal Park.

The University of Kentucky has signed nine recruits for the 2011 baseball season, while Eastern Kentucky has added three players during the fall recruiting period.

Signing with the Wildcats: LHP Corey Littrell (Louisville Trinity), RHP Blake Perry (Boyle County/Pendleton School at IMG Academy (Fla.)), IFs Dallen Reber (St. George, Utah), Paul McConkey (Knoxville) and Matt Reida (Russiaville, Ind.), OFs Lucas Witt (Lexington Christian) and Gavin Patton (South Charleston, W.Va./Pendleton School (Fla.)), and RHP/IFs Trevor Gott (Tates Creek) and J.T. Riddle (Western Hills).

Joining the Colonels: 1B/3B Mitchell Durbin (Fairfield, Ohio), 3b/RHP Bryan Solomon (Jackson, N.J.) and C Sean Hagen (Reading, Pa.).

This is UK’s third recruiting class with Gary Henderson as head coach. His first class — last season’s freshmen — was ranked by Baseball America as fourth-best in the nation. His second class — this season’s freshmen — were sixth in the nation, according to Collegiate Baseball.

“We are really excited about our 2010 class,” Henderson said. “The last two years, we have had top-ranked classes and this group of student-athletes is every bit as good. One of the best things about this class is that we have a solid group of Kentucky kids who come to UK. We are extremely excited that we could keep these Kentucky guys home for their college careers.”

Thanks to media relations wizards Brent Ingram of UK and Steve Fohl of EKU for the scoops.

UK recruits

LHP Corey Littrell: Regarded by many as the top prospect in the state. …  141 strikeouts and 39 walks in 111 innings, going 13-2 with one save and an 0.72 ERA last season. … Also batted .375 with two homers and 18 RBI, leading Trinity to a state-semi championship. … Two-time academic all-state pick has made Trinity’s honor roll every quarter. … His father played in Dodgers and Expos organizations; grandfather played in Cubs and Athletics organizations. … Says Henderson: Corey has an advanced ability to pitch for his age. He can already command his fastball and he has a very good changeup that he can throw for a strike. We expect him to pitch early and often in his UK career. He is a serious competitor that we have a chance to build a staff around. He will need to make the same adjustments that they all do but I expect him to compete for innings immediately.”

RHP Blake Perry: At 6-5, 180, he looks the part of No. 2 prospect in the state. … Went 4-0 with two saves, hitting .317, for Boyle County’s region runner-up team in 2008. … Transferred to Pendleton and was chosen to play in Southwest Florida Fall Showcase. … Played summer ball for Danville’s Morse Mustangs, coached by former Wildcat Paul Morse, going 5-0 with two saves, an 0.95 ERA and 63 strikeouts over 44 innings. … His father played for Kansas State and was drafted by the Yankees. … Says Henderson: “Blake has good body control and feel to pitch for a large-framed pitcher. He shows solid command of three pitches and falls into the category of very projectable. He wants to be an outstanding pitcher and I anticipate him being a great worker. He has tremendous potential and we are excited to watch him develop.”

IF Dallen Reber: 6-0, 215-pounder has led Dixie High School to three consecutive second-place finishes in the State Tournament. … First-team all-state as a junior, batting .407 with 29 runs, 33 hits, four doubles, seven homers and 30 RBI. .. Drew 13 walks to five strikeouts. … Played 3B mostly and some at SS. … Says Henderson: “Dallen brings a winner’s personality and a lot of athleticism. He is an absolute winner with very good baseball skills. He is the type of kid that other kids like to be around. He has a combination of strength, speed and skills that we are very excited to bring to our program.”

 IF Paul McConkey: Left-handed hitting 5-11, 175-pounder batted .482 with eight homers for Halls High School last season. … Has school records for doubles in a season and double plays turned in a career. … His father played baseball for Tennessee and his sister played softball at Austin Peay. … Says Henderson: “Paul has a very good feel to hit and he can play all three infield spots. He also plays the game with a lot of confidence and poise. That is hard to find in a 17-year-old. He is an extremely good competitor who is serious about being a great baseball player. His attitude and makeup are strong. He will bring an approach that will make those around him better.”

IF Matt Reida: A 5-11, 175-pound, left-handed hitter has been compared with current UK all-SEC IF Chris Bisson. … Teamed with current Wildcat LHP Taylor Rogers to lead the Midland Redskins to this year’s Connie Mack World Series championship at Farmington, N.M. … Hit .429 with three HR, 17 RBI and 10 SB. … National Honor Society member. … Brother of West Virginia assistant coach Tad Reida, who played for Wichita State and Indiana. A sister, Tiffany, played basketball for Indiana State. … Says Henderson: ”Matt is a tremendous competitor. He brings a seriousness and a level of competitiveness that will put him in the center of our club immediately. Matt brings very good baseball skills, great feel for the game and a winner’s presence. He will eventually be a leader, an oustanding leadoff hitter and a middle-infield presence for our club.” 

OF Lucas Witt: Two-time all-state in baseball and football (6-2, 185 QB). … Hit .377 with eight doubles, four homers, 20 RBI and 13 SB last season, leading LCA to an All-A state title. … Has LCA in the state football semifinals and has school career records for completions, attempts, touchdown passes, passing yards, quarterback rushing yards, passer rating and quarterback starts. … Says Henderson: “Lucas is an outstanding athlete and an even better young man. He has had a lot of success in both baseball and football at the high school level. He brings with him the knowledge of what it takes to be successful. He is a great competitor, knows how to work and he will make those around him better. We are very excited to see how he develops once he devotes himself to baseball full-time.”

OF Gavin Patton: 6-1, 205-pounder hit .490, a school-record 14 homers, 54 RBI and 22 SB in 2008 for George Washington High. … Moved to the Pendleton School last season, batting .418 with eight doubles, three HR, 39 RBI and 10 SB. … An uncle, Lorin Grow, played six years in Reds organization. … Says Henderson: “Gavin already looks like an SEC outfielder. He’s big, strong and moves well for his size. He brings a combination of speed and power that is hard to come by. We are very excited about him becoming a Wildcat. He plays extremely hard, competes at a high level and will bring an energy to our club that fans and teammates will enjoy.”

RHP/IF Trevor Gott: 6-0, 190-pound, second-team all-stater led Tates Creek in batting (.382) and ERA (1.12). … Says Henderson: “Trevor is a good athlete and has tremendous arm strength. He had a lot of success in his baseball career at a young age and we have watched him for a long time. His body is beginning to get some strength, which is going to help him tremendously on the mound.”

RHP/IF J.T. Riddle: 6-3,175-pound left-handed hitter went 3-3 with a 1.64 ERA and 67 strikeouts over 47 innings last season. … Batted .478 with six doubles, two homers and 11 RBI. … Has 16 SB over three seasons. … Has school single-season records for hits (47), average (.478) and ERA (1.64). … Says Henderson: “J.T. is a gifted athlete that is talented enough to be a two-way player in the SEC. He is like most kids we get in that he needs to develop more strength. J.T. has a good swing, moves well defensively and is clearly a talented pitcher. He has had a lot of success in everything he has done in high school. We are glad to have him with us and are eager to see how he develops.”

EKU recruits

1B/3B Mitchell Durbin: 6-2, 200-pound, left-handed hitter and team MVP. … Hit .377 with three HR, 23 RBI, 24 runs, 13 doubles and .662 SP in 2008. … Two-time all-academic team member. … Led Team Ohio in last summer’s Midwest Baseball Classic, hitting .402 with 102 hits, 29 doubles, 12 HR, 69 runs and .752 SP. His high school coach, Larry Price, is father of former EKU player Robby Price. … Says EKU Coach Jason Stein: “Following graduation and the draft of 2010, we will probably have two immediate needs and, as a left-handed bat with power and a corner infielder, Mitch fills both of them.”

3B/RHP Bryan Solomon: 6-4, 225-pound team captain led Jackson Memorial High last season with seven HR, 31 RBI and an .800 SP, while batting .440 with a .517 OBP. … A two-time pre-season All-American. … Says Stein: “Bryan is a complete third baseman. He can hit for average and power, and he is an outstanding defensive player with a great arm. Most impressively, he has a genuine desire to excel at this level and he possesses an excellent baseball attitude.”

 C Sean Hagen: 6-1, 190-pounder hit .469 with six HR, 11 doubles and 29 RBI for Muhlenberg High last season. … A two-time pre-season All-American. … Has a 3.75 GPA and has been voted class president the last two years. … Says Stein: “Sean will fill an immediate need at catcher following the graduation of 2010. He is a complete catcher who can catch, throw and block. But he is also a very offensive-minded player as well.”

Olympic rings.

Jose Acevedo

First-place finishes by Jose Acevedo and Mikel Thomas, both veterans of the Beijing Olympics, led Kentucky. Chase Madison made it a UK hat trick, winning the shot put.

Top female performer at UK’s Nutter Fieldhouse was double-winner Hyleas Fountain, the Olympic silver-medalist in the heptathlon from Dayton, Ohio.

The meet was the second and last home competition for UK before it plays host to the Southeastern Conference Championships, Feb. 27-March 1.
Acevedo, who competed at 200 meters for in the Olympics, tied the Venezuelan national record for 60 meters in Saturday’s finals, placing third. He later won the 200 in 21.22, an NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

In all, 20 collegiate performances met NCAA provisional standards. Twelve non-collegians also reached provisional standards and four hit automatic qualifing marks.

“It was good. The 60, I opened with my PR (personal record). I was impressed about that – 6.79,” Acevedo said. “It was awesome. And I was trying to do better in the finals. My start wasn’t as good as the prelims, so that cost me a chance to run under 6.70. That was the goal, but I still feel really good about 6.76.”

Rondel Sorillo

His 6.76 matched the Venezuelan record set by Victor Castillo, who placed 15th in the long jump at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

D’Angelo Cherry, who set a national high school record for 55 meters last year, won the 60 in 6.64. UK senior Gordon McKenzie took second, with a personal-best and NCAA provisional mark of 6.68. Acevedo was among three runners timed in 6.76. Going to ten-thousands of a second, Acevedo’s 6.7511 edged unattached David Dickens’ 6.7547 and Eastern Kentucky’s Shannon Davis’ 6.7575.

UK freshman Justin Austin ran a provisional-qualifying 6.74 preliminary, but did not test a sore leg in the finals.

In the 200, Acevedo topped UK newcomer Rondel Sorillo, 21.22 to 21.33. EKU’s Davis took third in 21.55.

“I was feeling a little bit tight just because of the 60,” Acevedo said. “That (60) is not my event; I’m not used to it. … But I tried to do my best. I got out with Rondel. He’s a really good competitor. He’s a really good runner.

“I was just trying to run with him more than run my race, and I think that was my mistake in the 200. But 21.22 is a provisional mark. It’s a pretty good day.”

Sorillo, from Trinidad and Tobago, competed in the same Olympic qualifying heat as Acevedo. That August day, Sorillo won in 20.58; Acevedo was fifth in 21.06. Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, the eventual gold-medal winner and world record-setter, ran second in the heat.

Mikel Thomas

Sorillo, who has two years of college in Trinidad under his belt, ran unattached as he is not yet eligible for UK.

Thomas, also a Trinidad Olympian last summer, met the NCAA provisional standard by winning the 60-meter hurdles in 7.80. Runner-up Terence Somerville of Cincinnati matched the provisional cut of 7.91.

“In the trials, I didn’t really get out of the blocks,” Thomas said of his 7.95 prelim. “I got out better (in the finals). This one was cleaner, but in between (hurdles) it’s not really where I need to be. A little tight. A little slow.”
UK’s Madison, a senior, won the shot put by more than four feet over Louisville’s Steve Hnat. Madison’s mark of 61 feet, 7 3/4 inches is an NCAA provisional qualifier.

“That’s definitely the best series of my life,” said Madison, who had efforts of 59-6 3/4, 59-0 1/4, foul, 60-2, 59-10 1/4 and 61-7 3/4. “Building consistencey now through SECs and through the national meet, that’s what I want.”

Chase Madison

Madison beat his previous best (59-2 3/4) four times.

“A lot more technical work,” he said in explaining his improvement. “A lot more quality work. Not just quantity, but quality.

“Focus on technique, not distance. … Let the distance come in competition, not practice.”

UK’s Colin Boevers placed eighth in the shot. Teammate Rashaud Scott, the NCAA discus champion and a provisional qualifier in Friday’s weight throw, fouled twice and passed his third turn.

Fountain, who won SEC titles for Georgia in the high jump, long jump and pentathlon (collegiate-record 4,417 points) here in 2004, was the Saturday’s quality performer among the women.

Hyleas Fountain

Fountain set a meet record of 21-5 1/2 in the long jump, then beat the meet and fieldhouse record with an 8.02 in the 60-meter hurdles.

“Right now, training for USAs (championships) and just trying to retain my title in the long jump there,” Fountain said of her 2009 goals. “The biggest meet, of course, is the World Championships in Berlin.”

A timing malfunction made it necessary to re-run Fountain’s preliminary heat of the hurdles. She won both times, 8.13 in the one that counted.
“I just kind of looked at it as a good warmup,” she said.

Furman’s Patrick Morgan, a former standout for Boyle County High School, came off the final turn to kick past Middle Tennessee State’s Festus Chemaoi and win the men’s mile in a personal-best and school-record 4:05.90. Chemaoi, timed in 4:065.29, caught Morgan by surprise and surged to a big lead with about two laps left.

Patrick Morgan

“He made a really good move there,” Morgan said. “I didn’t think I could catch him. I started to kick with about 300 to go, and he just slowly came closer, so I knew I had to (catch him).”

Eastern Kentucky’s Joseph Maina edged UK’s Luis Orta by three-hundredths of a second for third place, finishing in 4:10.59.
Former EKU all-American Jacob Korir, like Maina a Kenyan, used similar tactics to win the 3,000 meters in a meet-record 8:07.09. Mississippi State’s Matt Cameron, competing unattached, led until the final 200 meters.

Western Kentucky swept the 4-by-400 relays for men (3:12.90) and women (NCAA-provisional 3:37.97). Janet Jesang (9:26.68) and Eimear O’Brien gave the Hilltoppers a 1-2 finish in the women’s 3,000, and Valerie Brown snared the 400 (53.58). Jesang and Brown both met NCAA provisional standards.

Janet Jesang

Jesang, a junior from Uganda, hopes to qualify for NCAAs at 5,000 meters next week.

Kelly McNeice, from Northern Ireland, swept the women’s 800 (2:09.45) and mile (4:45.71), followed each time by Zamzam Sangau, a Middle Tennessee State junior from Uganda.

Saravia Richardson gave Louisville its lone win with a provisional qualifying time of 7.44 in the women’s 60.

Other female winners included Chandra Brewer in the shot (55-5 1/2), Chelsea Taylor in the high jump (5-11 1/2) and Trish Bartholomew in the 200 (23.64).

Brewer, a South Florida graduate, placed fourth at last summer’s U.S. Olympic Trials.

Taylor, a top-20 ranked jumper and multi-eventer, is scheduled to return here in three weeks, competing for Alabama.

Jeff Chakouian

Ohio Northern’s James O’Brien scored one for the smaller schools, taking the lead with 50 meters left en route to winning the men’s 800 in a provisional qualifying time of 1:49.70.

Elvis Forde

Carl Morgan upheld Middle Tennessee’s reputation as a perennial power in the jumps, taking the long jump (24-3 3/4).

Other winners were unattached Jamil Hubbard in the 400 (46.58) and Cincinnati’s Shane Shockey in the pole vault (16-0 3/4).