Braves earn first district win since 2004 season

Scott County Central's Dustin Johnson slides safely across home plate for a run against Bell City in the Class 1, District 2 Tournament at Oran on Monday afternoon. Scott Central won the game 15-5. (Photo by David Jenkins, Staff)

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ORAN -- At first glance, Dustin and Kamryn Johnson may seem to have a lot in common.

But, when it comes to pitching, the two have different styles.

The twin brothers both had a chance to display their throwing tactics in Scott County Central's first round game in the Class 1, District 2 tournament on Monday against rival Bell City.

They each threw three innings in the Braves' 15-5 win in six innings.

"He throws a little bit harder than me and I try to bring it a little bit more off-speed," Kamryn Johnson said about himself and his brother. "I like to hit corners a lot because I know I don't throw very fast."

Behind Kamryn and Dustin Johnson, who transferred from Chaffee High School, the third-seeded Braves advanced to the semifinals of the district tournament for the first time in seven years when Scott Central upset No. 3 seed Chaffee at Advance on May 17, 2004.

The Braves are searching for their first district baseball title since 1969.

Kamryn Johnson got the start against the Cubs, who bounced Scott Central out of the district tournament last year in the first round in a nine inning affair.

"When I was at Chaffee last year it was a pretty big rivalry there too," Dustin Johnson said about playing Bell City. "And then we come here and it's a lot bigger rivalry.

"Since the beginning of the season, all we've heard was Bell City. We knew that's was who we'd probably get in the first round -- we did and came out and played."

Kamryn Johnson, the soft-throwing sophomore, had a bit of trouble establishing the inside part of the plate, the place he says he works more effectively.

Needing to shy away from his inside game, Kamryn Johnson fell into an early hole. He allowed three runs on five hits in the first inning.

"It wasn't really working today but, a lot of times throwing like that works for me," Kamryn Johnson said. "I wasn't getting the inside calls and that's the main spot where I like to throw."

A two-run double by Eddie Dembowski was the biggest blow dealt to Kamryn Johnson and the Braves which put the No. three seed behind 3-0.

"Kamryn came out and threw all right. He kept working and keeping us in the game and that's all you can ask," Limbaugh said. "Bell City came out hitting the ball. We made a couple of missed plays on the defensive side and got down early."

After falling behind, Scott Central's offense put them back on top, eventually.

Through six innings, the Braves pounded out 11 hits against three Bell City pitchers. Nathan Holland and Tyler Masters each had two apiece.

"Not necessarily to say anything about Bell City's pitcher's but, they weren't throwing a lot of strikes," Kamryn Johnson said. "It was really good to see our batters wait back and take the pitch that they wanted."

The Braves scored one in the first inning and three more in the second to take the lead.

RBI hits from Bryan Freed and Dustin Johnson helped in Scott Central's resurgence.

"About every game we've played we've had one inning where we're either just lazy or tired or something like that," Dustin Johnson said. "And then, about the third or fourth inning we'd kick it in and show them how we can play.

"The last couple of games we've been hitting pretty good. We've been hitting pretty good all season, actually, and we just hit one through nine today."

Following his rough first inning, Kamryn Johnson was able to get through his next two innings unscathed. Scott Central catcher Josh Boese helped with his arm behind the plate by picking off two Bell City runners -- both of which were standing on third.

When Kamyrn Johnson exited the game, his team led 6-3 which allowed him to pick up the win. He allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks. He also hit one batter and struck out none.

After the third inning, the Braves went to the harder throwing Dustin Johnson.

Although he gave up two early runs in the fourth, Dustin Johnson cruised through his last two innings while the Braves' offense put an end to the game.

Dustin allowed two unearned runs on two hits. He struck out four and walked none.

"I was really glad to see Coach put Dustin in there," Kamryn Johnson said about his brother. "I know if he's out there pitching, there's nothing going to happen."

Scott Central pushed four runs across in the fourth and five more in the sixth to end the game on the 10-run mercy rule.

Nathan Holland ended the game in walk-off fashion with a rocket over Bell City centerfielder, Terrence Liggins, with the bases loaded.

The Braves (11-7) will play second-seeded Bernie at 2 p.m. today in the district semifinals.

WP -- Kamryn Johnson. LP -- Jared Yates. 2B -- (B) Eddie Dembowski; (S) Dustin Johnson, Bryan Freed.

Bernie 18, Delta 1

ORAN -- During the first game of the Class 1, District 2 tournament at Oran, the Bernie Mules made short work of the Delta Bobcats in an 18-1, five inning game on Monday.

Bernie, seeded second, totaled 19 hits and led 11-1 after the first three innings.

The Mules posted seven more runs in the bottom of the fourth to seal it.

Blake Trover got the win for Bernie while Delta's Collin Schabbing received the loss.

Bernie will play Scott County Central at 2 p.m. today in the semifinals.

WP -- Blake Trover. LP -- Collin Schabbing. 2B -- (B) Jessie Shelton. 3B -- (B) Blake Keasler.

Leopold 6, Advance 3

ORAN -- The Leopold Wildcats advanced to the semifinals of the Class 1, District 2 baseball tournament on Monday with a 6-3 win over Advance at Oran.

Down by three runs at one point, Leopold rallied with two runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth to overtake the Hornets.

Leopold will play the top-seeded Oran Eagles today at 4 p.m. in the tournament semifinals.

WP -- John Bohnsack. LP -- Ryan Moses. 2B -- (L) Joseph Elfrink.