Morgan Co. 8

Powell Co. 5

Morgan County scored five runs in the first inning and three more in the second en route to an 8 – 5 opening day win over visiting Powell County.

Sophomore Patrick Montgomery collected the Cougars’ first hit and stolen base of the season. Montgomery, Joel Nickell, Tyler Adkins, Jon Lopez and Cory Murphy all scored runs in the first inning as the Cougars took the big early lead.

Nickell was hit by a pitch to open the second inning. After a walk to Adkins, Lopez singled in both runs to push the lead to 7 - 1. Lopez stole second and later came around on a Mitchell Harvey single.

The Pirates scored one run in the second, two in the fourth and one each in the fifth and seven innings. Lopez, Adkins, Nickell and Mikie Fyffe gave up a combined eight hits and four earned runs.

Nickell finished with four strikeouts in two and one-third innings pitched. Lopez collected three K’s and didn’t walk a batter in two innings work.

Morgan Co. 7

Rowan Co. 6

Patrick Montgomery and Joel Nickell combined for five runs scored as the Cougars beat host Rowan County, 7 – 6.

Montgomery, Joel Nickell, Tyler Adkins and Jon Lopez all scored in the first inning as Morgan jumped out to the early 4 – 0 lead. Montgomery was then hit by a pitch and scored on Nickell’s single in the second.

After a lone run in the first inning, the Vikings answered with three runs in the second to cut the lead to 5 – 4.

But Mitchell Harvey’s RBI single to plate Nickell in the fourth provided the Cougars with an insurance run. Montgomery was hit by a pitch in the sixth and scored on a RBI groundout by Adkins.

On the mound, Harvey was credited with the win—striking out two and allowing three hits over two innings. Lopez faced 10 batters in the final two and a third innings, striking out two and walking none to pick up his first save.

Morgan Co. 6

Montgomery Co. 5

Jon Lopez hit an opposite field single in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Patrick Montgomery and Joel Nickell, as the Cougars came-from-behind to beat Montgomery County, 6 – 5.

Montgomery reached base with a one-out single in the seventh. After a walk to Joel Nickell, Lopez connected for a bloop single over second base against the drawn-in infield to bring in both players—including Nickell with the game-winner.

Nickell scored in the first inning on a RBI double by Adkins to tie the game at one. He came around again in the fifth inning as part of a two-run double by Adkins to trim the Cougar deficit to one.

Kevin Vance singled and scored in the sixth inning to tie the game at four apiece. Montgomery took the lead on a run in the seventh before Lopez’s heroics in the bottom of the frame.

On the mound, Lopez pitched five innings of seven-hit, four run baseball—striking out four and walking one. Mitchell Harvey faced 10 batters in two innings, striking out three and allowing one earned run to get the victory.

Lewis Co. 10

Morgan Co. 1

Lewis County scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back as the Lions beat Morgan County in Vanceburg, 10 – 1.

Cougar starting pitcher Tyler Adkins struggled out of the gate. Cole Cooper began the inning with a lead-off double. After a walk to Blake Kilgore, Frankie Witten doubled and Jake Bolander homered to stake Lewis County to quick early lead.

Adkins settled down to retire the final three batters he faced in the first. He faced four batters in the second, surrendering just one hit and striking out one. Ryan Easterling and Mikie Fyffe relieved the Adkins, pitching two innings apiece while allowing a combined six earned runs.

Jon Lopez scored Morgan’s lone run in the fourth inning, courtesy of a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kevin Vance