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Old scorebooks, part 9 — PRP’s amazing comeback 20 years ago

June 9, 2016 FieldsColumn

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Yogi Berra’s quip that “It ain’t over till it’s over” resonated 20 years ago when Pleasure Ridge Park rallied to beat Harrison County in the state baseball semifinals, and went on to win its third consecutive state championship.

PRP was on the brink of defeat when it trailed 5-2 in the top of the seventh with two outs and nobody. Then everything went haywire for Harrison County.

98millerPRP’s Brad Williams was hit by a pitch and Matt Jarboe walked. Troy Hilpp’s single drove in Williams to make it 5-3. Matt Fox followed with a smash to center field that was just out of the reach of Harrison County’s Paul Roberts. Fox wound up with a two-run triple that tied it 5-5.

Harrison County showed lots of grit. Despite the devastating turn of events, the Thorobreds loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t cash in, but still battled PRP five extra innings before falling.

PRP broke through for four runs in the 12th. Williams’ two-run single proved to be the game-winning hit.

The second semifinal that night at Apollo didn’t start until 11 p.m. (Eastern time). Greenup County didn’t mind staying up late as it beat Christian County 6-2.

Greenup County, led by Aaron McGlone (who would win Mr. Baseball honors that year), took a 36-1 record into the title game, but PRP edged the Musketeers 5-3 and Bill Miller’s Panthers had their third title in a row.

Harrison County, coached by Mac Whitaker, returned a good chunk of its lineup and bounced back to win the state title in 1997 and 1998.

Here’s the messy scorebook from PRP’s epic 12-inning win over Harrison County. I ran out of innings and had to ink in the 10th, 11th and 12th. I wouldn’t have had room if there had been a 13th.

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