BROOKSVILLE – A microcosm of the spring sports season continued in Brooksville on Monday when the Mason County and Bracken County 39th District Tournament baseball game was suspended due to inclement weather.

The Royals held a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the third inning when the clouds turned ominous and lightning struck, causing an initial weather delay. As the skies turned darker and the lightning got closer, officials decided to halt the game until Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Upon restart, the Royals will have Malkolm Devine on second base after a leadoff double to start the frame. Devine worked three scoreless innings on the hill to start the contest. The three-sport star would also put the Royals first run on the board after a single, a balk to send him to second and later scoring after stealing third and advancing home on a throwing error in the bottom of the first.

The Royals second run came in the second inning when Zach Drury’s fielder’s choice RBI to second base scored Nickolas Frame, who singled earlier in the inning.

The Polar Bears were able to get a runner on base in each of the three innings, but couldn’t find a timely hit to put a run on the scoreboard. Causing more concern, is their ace pitcher Tad Fisher will be unavailable on Tuesday after reaching more than 25 pitches, requiring him to sit out from the mound at least one calendar day according to the KHSAA rulebook.

Same goes for Royals pitcher Malkolm Devine, who will be unavailable to return to the mound Tuesday.

The winner of the contest will get right back at it on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the 39th District Championship game against St. Patrick. The Saints came back from an 11-4 deficit in the sixth inning to top Augusta, 12-11 in the first game of the day.

The Royals are looking to extend a seven-game winning streak over the Polar Bears, they’ll need 12 more outs to do so.

Bracken County’s Tad Fisher tags out Mason County’s Dylan Mitchell at home plate, Monday, in Brooksville during the 39th District Baseball Tournament semifinals.

 

Bracken County’s Tanner Fisher makes a sliding play from his knees at shortstop in Monday’s 39th District Baseball Tournament game against Mason County.

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