The Paris Eagles continue to play their best baseball of the season. The Eagles are peaking during post-season play, and now they can add a 3-0 regional tournament semifinal win over Booneville to their post-season drive to the state playoffs. The win over Booneville propels the Eagles into Monday’s regional final game versus the winner of Danville and Elkins. Additionally, Paris is now guaranteed no worse than a #2 seed in next week’s state tournament.
Paris senior Duke Walker got the start against the Bearcats and responded with a complete game shut-out over Booneville. Walker was dominant for most of the game and had velocity on his pitches that seemed to improve as the game wore on in the increasing temperatures on the spring afternoon in Greenland. Defensively, the Eagles continued to play well in both the infield and outfield. After the game, Paris coach Josh Hart was pleased with his team’s continued good play during the post-season. Coach Hart said, “What a game. Duke was lights out today on the bump. Our defense was stellar. While our bats never really got going, a hit from Konnor Edwards driving in two runs in the fourth inning came in a clutch. We have had awesome defense and awesome pitching thus far in the tournament. With diving plays in both the infield and outfield to just making heads up, high baseball IQ plays. Coach Devine and I are super proud of the boys and their heart and hunger they are showing right now.”
Paris, now having had two complete games from its pitching staff, has all of its pitchers available for Monday’s championship game. With the teams also having Mothers Day off tomorrow, everyone is available for the Eagles. Paris will be able to ride the hottest pitcher of the day that should give them an excellent shot a securing their second straight post-season tournament championship. Both starting pitching and relief pitching are all available to the Eagles, and they will need it against either Danville or Elkins.
Congratulations to Paris, and good luck on Monday as the Eagles take the field to win a regional tournament and a top seed in the state tournament!
Happy Mothers Day to all of our mothers in the River Valley, and from Resident News Network, we hope you enjoy your special day on Sunday!
