After taking the Becehwood Tigers to the limit, losing 1-0 in Fort Mitchell a year ago, this time around the Red and White Tigers had their way with us, advancing to the All “A” State Elite Eight via a 16-1 Run-Rule rout of our Mustangs Wednesday evening at the MAC.

“Disheartening” is an emotion that describes exactly what our players, coaches and fans are feeling this evening.  You hope for the best, but when things don’t go as hoped, “disheartening” surfaces.  Oddsmakers would have made Beechwood big favorites, based on the facts published on this site.  The Tigers served notice when lead-off hitter, Tyler Fryman hit the second pitch of the game over the right-centerfield fence for a home run – the lone run to be scored by either team in the inning.  The Tigers added a second run in the second inning on a pair of doubles, again, the only runs scored by either team in the inning.  The third inning was more of the same.  Beechwood expanded the lead to 5-0 that included another Tiger round-tripper, this one by Hudson Edwards.  The Mustangs closed the gap to 5-1 in the home half of the third, leaving Mustang runners stranded at 2nd and 3rd base as the inning ended. 

Beechwood laid this one to rest, plating 6 runs in the fifth, as Fryman hit his second home run on the night, this one a three run-shot, and 5 more in the sixth to punch their ticket to Daviess County High School for the “A” State Final Eight in quest of their seventh All “A” State Championship.  On the day, Beechwood hurler, Caleb Arrasmith went the distance, allowing 1 unearned run and two Mustang hits (Brady Boruske – Double and Landon Ruth), striking out 9 and issuing nary a walk,.  Luke Neltner, the Brossart starter went three innings, allowing 4 Beechwood runs, but was relieved while unable to record an out in the fourth, being tagged for 9 runs on 9 hits on his watch.  Our relief corps allowed 7 more runs in two innings of work, accounting for the 16-1 run-rule win.

This Mustangs team will be asked to show its resilience once again this weekend, as we face Dublin Scioto (Dublin), OH., Friday night under the lights  at the MAC at 7:30pm, and Montgomery County Saturday morning at 11:30am.