I was wondering the same thing myself.

 

State was in owensboro at that time, that is a long haul from greenup, we made the first trip stayed a few days, made the second trip for a day or two and then finally got to play the championship on the third trip. Momentum means alot, and a long delay for a team on a roll like that is a killer.

State was in owensboro at that time, that is a long haul from greenup, we made the first trip stayed a few days, made the second trip for a day or two and then finally got to play the championship on the third trip. Momentum means alot, and a long delay for a team on a roll like that is a killer.

 

Well, the other team (P.R.P) had the same delay you guys did. Granted, they had a lot shorter travel to get there, I still think blaming the weather is a little weak. I saw both of those teams play that year, and I DO think Greenup had the better team overall, but you can't use the weather as an excuse for losing. I will agree though, the '96 bunch is the best team I've ever seen at Greenup.

Well, the other team (P.R.P) had the same delay you guys did. Granted, they had a lot shorter travel to get there, I still think blaming the weather is a little weak. I saw both of those teams play that year, and I DO think Greenup had the better team overall, but you can't use the weather as an excuse for losing. I will agree though, the '96 bunch is the best team I've ever seen at Greenup.

 

I guess I'm just weak, sorry I'll start lifting and try harder.:cry:

For Somerset it would be the 1974 State Championship Team followed closely by the 1981 State Runners-Up who were a dropped infield fly from beating St. X and winning the State themselves.

The 2005 Raceland team has the best record in school history with a record of 26-6 i believe. They were regional runner up to Boyd Co.. They got beat in 9 innings by 1 run in the regional championship on a very questionable call. They were a great team, I know Tolliver is now playing baseball at Transy, Darby went to Pikeville to play, Grizzle is a Georgetown playing football, and another key member Peyton Martin is will be a senior at Raceland this year and is being recruited by several colleges and is argueable the #1 player in the 16th region this year.

 

I had a kid on the 2005 team, and questioable call is a monumental understatement. I think "Criminal" would be the word I would use, And their was more than one.

For me it was the 2005 LCA championship team. They dropped 3 games in a row middle of the season other than that they may have had only 2 losses. 3 of their starters pitched in college. They had 10 players go onto play college baseball.

The 2005 Raceland team has the best record in school history with a record of 26-6 i believe. They were regional runner up to Boyd Co.. They got beat in 9 innings by 1 run in the regional championship on a very questionable call. They were a great team, I know Tolliver is now playing baseball at Transy, Darby went to Pikeville to play, Grizzle is a Georgetown playing football, and another key member Peyton Martin is will be a senior at Raceland this year and is being recruited by several colleges and is argueable the #1 player in the 16th region this year.

 

Another member of that team who played at the next level was Nathan Reynolds who went on to pitch for Berea College.

1988 is my nomination for Estill Co. 23-6 with wins over Harrison Co, Madison Central (3), Paintsville, and PRP. Losses include 2-1 against Kevin Jarvis/Tates Creek, a one run loss against Lorne Frazier/Rowan Co, and the regional finals against Harrison. District 40 champions and four east-west all-stars. Some would argue the Jon Kirby led teams were better but this was a better TEAM.

Some of my most fond memories from Rockcastle County have been with the baseball team and the coaching staffs. Baseball people are the best in the world in my opinion.

 

As far as the best teams in Rockcastle County history, I will say that the best teams came between the 2000-2004.

 

The 2000 team was the first team in school history to win the regional tournament....that was at home and I'll never forget the Middlesboro player hitting a short flyball to left-field that SS Derrick Bussell went back to make the final out...that ball seemed like it was never going to come down and when it did, all heck broke loose. This was Coach Riddle's final seaosn at the helm of the Rockets.

 

The 2001, which was JD Bussell's first season, had what I think was the most talented. Greg Harper, Derrick Bussell, Chris Parsons, Brandon Bishop, etc. was loaded from top to bottom. They won the regional title over Corbin in the finals down at Whitley County....Greg Harper threw a no-hitter in the championship game while allowing a run on a few walks, a couple plunked hitters and an error or two from the fielders...Greg would throw inside to his mother if she stood too close to the plate.....LOL. When the guys went on to play in the sectional tournament semifinal, they ran into a buzzsaw known as Clay Salyers who pitched for Hazard. He was probably the second best lefty I saw throw against us....the best was that year when Jeremy Sowers of Ballard almost no-hit us.

 

In 2002, the team had a pretty decent season and saw the emergence of Aaron Anderkin asa one of the best pitchers in the region. The Rockets ran into a gritty Cumberland squad that eliminated them from the state tournament...Rockcastle County just couldn't get anything going early on and got into too big of a rut to overcome....I'll never forget what should have been the game winning hit....Rockcastle County had the bases loaded with two outs in the 6th inning when Brandon McIntosh hit a ball that would have gotten through the right side of the infield but it hit Devon Bussell right in the back.....the ball was hit so hard that Devon didn't stand a chance to get out of the way.

 

In 2003, this was quite possible the greatest overall season in Rocket history since it was the only one in which a Rocket team made it to the Elite 8. This was also the first year for the current semi-state format. Rockcastle County played Hazard and fell behind one game to nothing....they could not get ANYTHING going against the Hazard pitcher and could only score a run when they had a runner on second, the pitcher threw a wild pitch and the ball bounced off the brick backstop at Corbin and the HHS catcher used his facemask to pick up the ball which is officially considered a two-base error. In the second game, Rockcastle Couty got down 2-0 early on and finally got a runner on in the second inning when the flood gates opened. It rained for nearly three days and almost concelled the rest of the tournament due to the poor field conditions. Well needless to say, if it hadn't have been for Corbin head coach Jerr Garmon, Lexington Catholic head coach Rodney Martin, and the KHSAA, the rest of the tournament was moved to LexCath under the premise that it was to be completed on that Saturday and if it couldn't, Hazard was to be named the champion and move on to state. Well to make a long story short, Rockcastle County overcame another good pitching performance from a Hazard pitcher and a two hour rain delay to win game 2 by a score of 3-2 and then won game 3 immediately following on a sacfly in the bottom of the 5th inning for a 1-0 score. This season saw the emergance of what could possibly be the best pitching talent to ever come through Rockcastle County and that was Colby Brown during his freshman year.

 

In 2004, the Rockets won yet another regional title and played a strong team in the sectional...this time it was Ashland Blazer. Rockcaslte County lost the first game on day one then was down in game two before a nearly three hour rain delay before forcing extra innings and winning the game 10-9 in 9 innings. The Rockets weren't nearly as fortunate that year in game 3 of the sectional as Ashland won game 3 4-1.

 

The squad that had the most potential was the 2005 squad but some of the guys really didn't care for the game by the time they were seniors and squandered what could have been a maical season.

 

 

 

With having said all of this, I will say the greatest team in Rockcastle County baseball history was the 2001 team.

Let's hear it. Who was the best team to ever take the field at your alma matter?

 

For me....

 

1991 Raceland (63rd District Champions; 16th Region Champions)

 

Matt Bostic, Brian Fletcher, Shane Davidson (R.I.P.), Rob Pence, Brent Mackie, Brent Boyer, Ryan McKenzie, Kenny Salyers, Chris Potter, Lance Black

 

Not bad, just not as good as the 1982 team,Bobby Trimble,Danny Bostick, Kenny Large, Chuck Barker, Teddy Perry, Bobby Braden,etc

Not bad, just not as good as the 1982 team,Bobby Trimble,Danny Bostick, Kenny Large, Chuck Barker, Teddy Perry, Bobby Braden,etc

 

How far did the 82 Rams make it?

1991 Knott Central Final Four (third consecutive regional championship for coach Hammonds). 1989 and 1990 teams probably had more talent from top to bottom (Ratliff and Jacobs class of '90 played at Morehead, Mason Slone class of '89 crushed the ball) unfortunately Paintsville was in Section 4 and were state runners-up in '89 and state champs in '90.

 

1980 Hazard State Runner-Up

1995 Hazard lost in Final Four to state champion PRP 7-5

2004 Hazard 30 wins, regional champs, lost in semi-state play

 

1987 M.C. Napier Final Four (second consecutive regional championship for coach Bill Dixon)

1994 M.C. Napier great regular season, upset by Dilce Combs in the district tournament.

 

1988 Lee County regional champs, Shawn Little '89 signed with Morehead before transferring to Cumberland and being named first team all-American in NAIA. His brother Jack signed with EKU. They won the regional championship game like 17-2 over M.C. Napier.

2000 and 2002 Lee County, regional champs. 2002 team went undefeated in regional play, beat Pikeville in 9 innings before losing to Middlesboro in the sectional finals.

1991 Knott Central Final Four (third consecutive regional championship for coach Hammonds). 1989 and 1990 teams probably had more talent from top to bottom (Ratliff and Jacobs class of '90 played at Morehead, Mason Slone class of '89 crushed the ball) unfortunately Paintsville was in Section 4 and were state runners-up in '89 and state champs in '90.

 

 

I vividly remember that Knott Central team in 1991...they eliminated us (Raceland) in the Sectional Tournament @ Boyd Co. that year. They weren't the biggest bunch we played, but they were scrappy. They beat us on a suicide squeeze in extra innings.

For Somerset it would be the 1974 State Championship Team followed closely by the 1981 State Runners-Up who were a dropped infield fly from beating St. X and winning the State themselves.

 

Any of about 3 of those mid 70's Somerset teams could be their best. If it hadn't been for Steve Chandler (I think), the Jumpers may have won a couple more state titles.

2007 Ryle Raiders - Their best season in the schools young history.

34 & 7

Won the District, won the Region, swept the State Sectional, lost in the state quarter finals. Set all new school records and laid the groundwork for the start of what could be a fantastic baseball program at Ryle.