LEXINGTON, Ky. No. 8-ranked Trinity had its season end in a 2-0 loss to Harrison County Friday afternoon. They finish with a 25-11 record and now has the played in the most state tournaments (nine) without winning a championship, beginning with its first regional title in 1970.
No. 20 Harrison County (27-9) advanced to Friday night's semifinal against No. 9 Lexington Catholic.
"They've got a storied program and a rich tradition," said Trinity coach Steve Tompkins, whose team beat Harrison County 4-0 during the regular season. "We knew they were going to be tough and come ready to play."
The game actually began at 11:05 p.m. Thursday but was suspended because of rain after just 27 minutes of play. It resumed at noon Friday but without one of the key starters.
Jon Rueff took over the pitching duties and was solid in his first four innings, retiring the first 12 batters he faced.
Grant Epperson lined into a triple play to end the first inning for Trinity.
Trinity had a solid shot to score first in the bottom of the sixth. Chris Berry singled to open the inning but was caught stealing on a close play at second. The Shamrocks went on to load the bases with two out, but Rueff struck out looking.
Harrison County's Logan Dailey (8-2), allowed nine hits and struck out just two but did his best work with runners on base.
The Thorobreds finally broke through in the seventh after Jared Martin reached on a one-out error and Christian Chasteen followed with an infield single. Sophomore Shane Fowler then lined a single to right to score Martin for a 1-0 lead.
Drew Thompson just beat out a double-play try at first, allowing Chasteen to score for a 2-0 lead.
Rueff (7-2) took the loss, allowing two unearned runs and three hits in five innings.
