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By Casey Roberts

Contributing Writer

After being swept in the regular season by Danville, Lincoln County found redemption at the perfect time.

The Patriots erupted late and leaned on clutch pitching from senior Caleb Carrier to defeat the Admirals 9-3 in the semifinal round of the 45th District baseball tournament. The win sends Lincoln County to its first district championship game since 2017.

Danville led 3-2 heading into the sixth inning before the Patriots rallied with seven unanswered runs, including a four-run seventh that put the game out of reach.

Trevor Vest sparked the comeback with a bunt single in the sixth, followed by a single from Grady Foster. Courtesy runner Mason Glover later scored on an RBI grounder by Landon Smith, and Lincoln County capitalized on multiple Danville defensive miscues to pull ahead 5-3.

In the seventh, the Patriots added insurance. Brennin Hazlett drew a walk and scored on a wild pitch, while Vest and Landon Whobrey each crossed the plate on an RBI single by Smith. Sawyer Robbins grounded out to bring in another run, and Caleb Carrier, who also pitched a strong relief outing, drew a walk to plate the ninth and final run.

Carrier sealed the win with a dominant performance on the mound, striking out multiple Danville batters in the final two frames and inducing weak contact. He got help from Robbins and Smith on key outs, including a lineout and pop fly to end Danville’s last threat in the seventh.

Lincoln County’s offense was opportunistic, drawing six walks in the final two innings. Smith reached base three times and drove in two runs, while Vest reached base twice and scored two runs. Hazlett also walked and scored in the rally.