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One thing is for sure, Ledford can expect a lot of more in the upcoming week. With three pivotal CCC contests looming over the next seven days, the Panthers had to take of business Friday night against a much improved Lexington squad that battled Ledford tough in the first meeting. While not eye-popping, the Panthers handled Lexington in business-like fashion, winning 9-1 to maintain at least a two game lead in the CCC heading into next week’s three-step versus East, Central and West Davidson.
“They played us so tough last time we knew we would have to come out and play well,” Ledford coach Chris Adams said. “Knowing tonight was another conference game on the road, we came out here with the mindset of let’s get the win and stay at the top [of the CCC]. We are going to need it next week with three games in five days. That’s going to be tough. We wanted to come out and take care of business.”
Travis Vogler made sure his teammates could rest easily as the right-hander baffled the Yellow Jacket lineup in his four no-hit innings. Vogler fanned six of the 12 batters he faced before handing the ball off to Cory Alcon with a 9-0 lead.
Justin Livengood got Ledford (14-2, 7-0) going in the top of the first with an infield hit that scored Jacob Scott. Sam Berrier followed with a walk, loading the bases for Ricky Vaughn. The shortstop got his pitch from Lexington starter Teland Todd and ripped a clean single to center-field, plating Patrick Koontz and Livengood for a 3-0 lead. A potentially huge inning ended, however, when Vaughn got gunned out at third trying to tag up on Ryan Fitzgerald’s flyout.
“A lot of teams just give us their best shot,” Adams said. “They kind of join right in with that. We know that and we tell our kids that. We are going to get everyone’s best and you have to prepare for that.”
Ledford kept swinging a hot bat in the third inning on the way to three more runs. Koontz coaxed a one-out walk and came home on Berrier’s deep triple to center. Vaughn followed with a bloop double down the right-field line, scoring two.
“I’m just trying to see the ball, relax and have fun,” said Berrier. “We just take it like any other conference game. This game was way more important than last night. We just come out here and try to win.”
It appeared the Panthers would end the game in five innings after three more runs crossed the plate, but it wasn’t meant to be. Koontz led off the frame with a walk and Livengood reached on a double right-fielder Demetrius Gilmore lost in the lights. Berrier drove in both runners on a single to left and eventually scored on a Fitzgerald groundout, leaving the Panthers a run away from the 10-run rule. Jacob Scott had his chance with two runners on but he bounced out to second, ending the threat.
Staff Writer Eliot Duke can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 233, or at eliotduke@hotmail.com.