By KYLE LOVERN

Sports Editor

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. – Belfry finished the regular season at 23-8, which is the most regular season wins ever by a Pirates baseball team.

The bad news is they lost their regular season finale 1-0 at Prestonsburg on Friday night.

Jared Masters was the hard luck loser for Belfry. He pitched a complete game 2-hitter, striking out nine Blackcat batters and only walking two. The one Prestonsburg run was unearned.

The Blackcats scored that run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Belfry was never able to get any offense going in the game.

Prestonsburg’s Grant Anderson walked to leadoff in their half of the first inning. He then stole second base and advanced to third base on an infield single by Trey Stapleton. Anderson then scored on a pickoff attempt by the Belfry catcher at third base which resulted in an error and the only run in the game.

Belfry only had one runner to reach third base. Zac Fields had a base hit. He went to second on a sacrifice bunt and reached third on a groundout. But he was stranded there and the Pirates lost a close one to a regional rival.

Zack Francisco led Belfry with two hits and he also walked. Howie Dotson, Masters and Fields each had a single for the Pirates of Coach Michael Hagy.

Adam Crips picked up the win for Prestonsburg. The Blackcats are now 22-13 on the season.

Belfry heads into 60th District tournament action on Wednesday. They will play the winner of the Pike Central-Phelps game which will be played at Massey Energy Field at Belfry on Monday night. Belfry’s game on Wednesday is slated to start at 6:00 p.m.

Score by innings:

BHS … 000 000 0 – 0 5 3

PHS … 100 000 0 – 1 2 2