MAYSVILLE, Ky. — Following Monday night’s 39th District baseball semifinals, the Mason County Royals returned to their home field to face the Bracken County Polar Bears in the championship game.
In both their prior meetings with the Royals, Bracken County picked up the win, eventually rounding out a 4-0 sweep of district opponents to secure the No. 1 seed heading into postseason, and an automatic bid to the 10th Region baseball tournament. Bracken County shut out the Royals 3-0 on April 20, before working for a 9-5 victory on May 8.
Despite their two prior losses, Mason County was eager to take on the Polar Bears a third time this season, and for a shot at back-to-back district championship wins.
“I’ve been doing this baseball wise five years, and this one right here is right next to the one in 24 as just a great win,” said Royals head coach Jason Butler.
Bracken County held the Royals scoreless in the top of the first, despite giving up two walks to Marquis Bluford and Micah Payne. A ground ball from Bracken County leadoff batter Corbin Combess, followed by a double from Mitchell Steinhauer drove in the Polar Bears first run of the night in the bottom half of the inning. Steinhauer then worked his way home, the Polar Bears leading 2-0 with no outs.
A pair of walks and a single then loaded the bases for Bracken County, but two strikeouts from Mason County pitcher Carter Roark and a fielder’s choice catching Caleb Sutton out advancing to home brought an end to the inning before Bracken County could extend their lead.
“Credit to our defense, but really a credit to our sophomore pitcher Carter Roark,” said coach Butler. “Him and (Brady) Mefford have been solid all season long, and I was just fortunate to have them both available. I made the decision that I was gonna pitch my sophomore because he’s been steady all season long, not that Mefford hasn’t but he said coach I want the ball, and that’s a sophomore.”
The Royals got their first run on the board in the top of the second. After Hayden Workman was hit by a pitch and a single from Macen Grooms put two runners on, Workman stole his way home on an error from Bracken County catcher Mitchell Steinhauer. Mason County then held Bracken County scoreless in the bottom of the second with three strikeouts from Roark on the mound.
Two more runs for Mason County then came in the top of the third, with two walks and a sacrifice fly from Roark tying the game 2-2, and an error from Bracken County center fielder Caleb Sutton allowing the Royals to pull ahead 3-2.
“I just told the kids, Bachman’s a great pitcher. He’s had an outstanding career and he gets to play next week. We’ve seen him a lot of times and we prepared for it. I just told them, stay back, be disciplined at the plate and don’t swing at bad pitches,” said coach Butler. “Our kids waited for their pitch, and when they did they capitalized on it. Like I said after the Augusta game, when my kids get on base we’re fun to watch.”
Five singles and a fielder’s choice from the Royals in the top of the fourth added four more runs for Mason County, extending their lead to 7-2 over the Polar Bears. After holding Bracken County scoreless once again in the bottom half of the inning, a double from Micah Payne, a single from Mefford, three HBPs and a walk added six more runs for the Royals, extending their lead to 13-2.
After a double play brought an end to the top of the fifth, Bracken County returned to the batter’s box looking to keep the game from ending early. Roark picked up two more strikeouts this inning before allowing a single to Sutton. Cole Sharp then grounded out at first before Sutton could reach home, ending the game in five innings, Mason County leading 13-2.
“Anytime you can get kids on base and you’re able to put them in motion, it puts the pressure back on Bracken County. We felt that against them the first two times against them when they were bunting the heck out of us. Our kids, they came in, they really wanted this and I’m just super proud that they were able to come out of here district champions,” said coach Butler.
Following this game, both the Royals and Polar Bears will head to Harrison County next week to compete in the 2026 10th Region baseball tournament. Bracketing for the tournament will be released once the draw is complete.
“I’m just super proud of them. A credit to my assistant coaches, they did a heck of a job tonight. I’ve got the best coaching staff I believe across this region, and our kids, they connect with them. I can’t give enough credit to our coaches but really tonight our players did it,” said coach Butler. “My pitcher, my sophomore. A two hitter, he’s pretty dag-gone good.”
MASON COUNTY
H: Butler, Bluford, Payne 2, Mefford, Grooms, Gregory, Crabtree
R: Butler 2, Bluford 2, Paune 2, Mefford 2, Workman, Gregory 2, Crabtree
RBI: Bluford, Payne 4, Mefford 2, Roark 2,
2B: Payne
SB: Payne 2, Butler, Gregory, Anderson
IP: Roark 5.0
K: Roark 9
BB: Roark 3
BRACKEN COUNTY
H: Steinhauer, Sutton, Johnson
R: Combess, Steinhauer
RBI: Steinhauer
2B: Steinhauer
SB: Steinhauer
IP: Sutton 0.2, Johnson 0.1, BBachman 4.0
K: Johnson, Bachman 4
BB: Johnson 2, Bachman 4
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