Frederick Douglass rally beats the rain, but not Henry Clay just yet
With a line of severe storms looming, No. 8 Frederick Douglass timed a stunning rally to perfection against Henry Clay on Wednesday night as Ty Bryant’s inside-the-park grand slam highlighted a five-run inning that will be resumed next week with no outs in the top of the fifth and the Broncos ahead 5-2.
The 42nd District rivalry was suspended despite being relocated to the full artificial turf surface of Eastern Kentucky University’s Earle Combs Stadium.
“It was amazing,” Frederick Douglass Coach Eddie Brooks said of the opportunity to play at EKU. “I think both teams played well. It was a hard fought district game, and this thing is far from over because, obviously, you’re talking about young kids. Who knows what’s going to happen next time we show back up.”
Bryant’s heroics followed a pair of walks sandwiched around Thomas Howard’s single and an infield RBI hit by Jeremiah Lowe that cut a 2-0 Henry Clay lead in half to start the fifth inning. Bryant’s liner to right field short-hopped the charging defender and skipped under his glove all the way to the fence. The junior Kentucky football commit sped around the bases and slid across the plate ahead of a wide throw home.
Henry Clay (4-6) barely had time to make a pitching change before lightning flashed and a severe storm warning siren blared across the EKU grounds. The radar indicated it would not stop raining until at least midnight, so both coaches agreed to the suspension.
They’re scheduled to meet again next Thursday at Douglass (9-3) where they’ll play the last two-and-a-half innings of this one plus their other full game — weather permitting, of course.
Scheduling woes
There might be some folks who don’t mind this wet and wild spring. Don’t count high school baseball and softball coaches among them.
“In my previous 15 years, this is probably the worst spring I’ve ever had to deal with as far as rainouts,” Brooks said. “Coach (Jordan) Tarrence and I’ve talked — I think they played one game in the last 10 to 12 days and we’ve played two. So, it’s been miserable trying to get games in.”
Rules state that 42nd District rivals Henry Clay and Douglass must play a two-game set in the regular season, but both of their fields were too soggy both Tuesday and Wednesday to get even one in. Brooks and Tarrence agreed to use Wednesday’s ticket sales to rent EKU’s field and cover any leftover costs themselves just so their players could get back on the field.
“Baseball’s a game where you’re used to playing four or five times a week, and we’re playing once a week,” Tarrence said. “We’ve only had one or two good practices. You’re stuck inside.”
The good news is that their plan worked — for almost five and a half innings.
“We couldn’t think of a worse spring than this,” Tarrence said. “You’ve had a bad weekend. You’ve had a bad week, but I’ve never seen one go this far.”
Unique opportunity for EKU commit
Douglass starting pitcher Gavin Faulkner, a senior EKU commit, shook off some early nerves that led to two walks and a pair of runs in the first inning against Henry Clay.
Brooks knew having Faulkner step onto his future college field would be both a thrill and, perhaps, a little unsettling.
“We’re just trying to keep his emotions in check,” Brooks said before the game. “He’s swinging the bat extremely well and been throwing it pretty good all year long. If he goes out and pounds the zone and swings at good pitches, he’s a tremendous player. EKU got a great one.”
“Swinging the bat extremely well” includes tying the KHSAA record for consecutive games with home runs with five earlier this season, a mark that helped make Faulkner PrepBaseballReport.com’s Kentucky Player of the Week last week. The only other player to accomplish that feat was Madison Central’s Aric Burkhart in 1993.
Faulkner’s seven home runs lead the state, according to KHSAA stats. He also has a .342 batting average and a team-high 21 RBI.
On the mound, Faulkner had a 3-0 record with a 0.47 ERA and 29 strikeouts heading into Wednesday’s game. He added five more strikeouts against Henry Clay and was throwing a no-hitter despite five walks and giving up those two early runs.
“What a great start he’s had,” Brooks said. “And I’m so proud of him. He’s worked his butt off to get every accolade he’s deserved.”
This story was originally published April 14, 2022 at 7:57 AM.
