Back in April and May, when it never seemed to stop raining for more than 4 minutes, I selfishly stayed in a bad mood because I was damned to the indoors. I never took in consideration the plight of the many baseball teams in the area who were unable to get on the fields they so love. One of those teams was the George Rogers Clark Cardinals, my alma mater. I once roamed the Cardinal Field grounds as a confused teenaged boy and I completely understand the frustration that goes with rain-outs. A 22-11 record does not seem “state tourney” worthy, but when you consider GRC played a grand total of 5 home games this season, it is a little easier to swallow double-digit losses. The cards played 4 home games in the month of March and only one more home game for the remainder of the season. If you are wondering, yes, that is crazy.

After the Cards lost to the Bourbon County Colonels, 10-4, in the title game of the 40th District tournament, GRC has taken off! Larry Allison and his squad of redbirds headed to Campbell County for the 10th Region Tournament last week and came away with wins over mason County (8-1), Campbell County (6-5), and a huge revenge win over Bourbon County in the championship game (14-4) in 5 innings. The win sends GRC to the Kentucky National Insurance/KHSAA State Baseball Tournament. It is Clark County’s first appearance in the state tournament since the format changed from a three-game semi-state series followed by an 8 team tournament to it’s current 16 team format, similar to the one used in the Sweet 16 basketball tournaments.

On Monday, June 13, at 8:30 p.m. from the home of the Lexington Legends, Whitaker Bank Park, George Rogers Clark will begin their journey to the state championship. They will face Coach Todd Thompson and the 5th Region champs, the Central Hardin Bruins (32-4). I have a feeling Malik Warner, Anthony Withrow, Tyler Martinez, Scotty Turner, Justin Harris, Taylor Norton, Jake Robin, Christian Cooke, Nicholas Hyslop, Zach Roe, Mason Hisle, Skylar True, Hunter Staton, Matt Williams, Logan McQuerry, Taylor Howard, Zack Allen, Billy Hatmaker, Zach Pasley, Justin Maggard, Justin Carrus, Brent Stoneking, Dustin Bonner, Taylor Evans, Jesse Bates, Derek McKenzie, Tyler Cain, Ryan Frye, Darius Skinner, Steven Davis, Wes Lawwill, Aaron Parrish, Robert Hatler, Justin Howard, Zach Martinez, Hunter Osborne, and Trevor Back might have a little something for the filthy Bruins Monday night!

Good luck to Coach Allison and all of the guys on Monday! If you are not paying attention, Clark County is dominating 10th Region athletics right now! State Bound!
C! A! R! D! S!