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Volume 11 Number 5 (606) 246-0230 May 2014
WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM
INSIDE THIS ISSUEMaci Morris plays in 3x3 National Tournament
LMU Hosting Summer Youth Camps
Pineville Basketball Team Camp Schedule
UK’s A.J. Reed is National Player of Year
Brown & Brown win KMLF 5K Run
Matt Gann repeats in KMLF Golf Classic
Union College adds 47 to their football roster
and more.............................................
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Page 2 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
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May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 3
Southern Starz AAU Girls' Basketball Director Doug Bush assembled a very talented team
of four highly-ranked girls' basketball players born during 1996 & 1997 to compete in the
2014 USA 3x3 U18 National Tournament at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado
Springs on May 29-June 1. It was a solid group as the team went 5-0 through the preliminary
round to advance to the next round of tournament action. There was a lot on the line as the
winner of this event will be the USA Basketball 3x3 U18 Team that will represent the United
States in the Youth Olympic Games in Nanging, China on August 16-28. The Starz were
right in the thick of things and still had a chance to win it all as we went to press. Check our
website www.pinnaclesportsview.com for the latest on this event.
Included on the Southern Starz team were two Starz players from Alabama, one Ten-
nessean, and one Kentuckian as follows:
Shakayla Thomas (Sylacauga AL) - Thomas is a Florida St Signee & was the leading
scorer with 19 pts in the McDonald's All-Amercian Game held in Chicago's United Center
back in March.
She was named 2013-14 Miss Basketball in Alabama and is the 3-Time 5A Player of
the Year, earning multiple All-State honors, as well. She is a 6-0 Wing who is ranked as the
#12 player in the nation in the Class of 2014.
Thomas led her Southern Starz 2014 team to the AAU 11th Grade D1 National Cham-
pionship in July 2013 and led her Sylacauga Lady Aggies to a Runner-Up finish in Class
5A in Alabama.
Shaquera Wade (Huntsville AL) - Wade is an Alabama commit & is a 5-11 combo guard
who is ranked as the #34 player in the nation in the Class of 2015.
Wade led her Southern Starz 2015 team to a 3rd Place finish at the AAU 10th Grade D1
National Championship in July 2013. She recently led her Starz 2015 team to their 4th con-
secutive AL AAU State Championship. She is a 2-time Class 6A 2nd Team All-State Selec-
tion and led 6A Huntsville High School to the State Semi-finals (Final 4) in 2012-13 and
the State Quarterfinals (Elite 8) in 2013-14.
She is considered the frontrunner for Miss Basketball in Alabama for 2015.
Chassity "Lea Lea" Carter (Dickson TN) - Carter is a 5-11 Wing who is ranked as the
#10 player in the nation in the Class of 2016. Carter was a member of the 2013 USA Bas-
ketball Women's U16 National Team that went 5-0 and won the Gold Medal at the 2013
FIBA Americas U16 Championship played in June 2013 in Cancun, Mexico.
She has led her Tennessee A-Game AAU team (coached by Mark Springer) to Top 10
finishes at the AAU D1 National Championships along with multiple TN AAU State Cham-
pionships.
Carter is an All-State performer for Dickson County (TN) High School. She will be in
the running for Miss Basketball in Tennessee for 2015.
Maci Morris (Pineville KY) - Morris is a Kentucky commit & is a 6-0 guard who is ranked
in the Top 50 players in the nation in the Class of 2015. She has been a starter on the Varsity
at Bell County HS since the 7th Grade.
Morris has averaged over 20 ppg, 8 rebounds & 5 assists per game during her Soph &
JR years at Bell County. She is considered the frontrunner for Miss Basketball in Kentucky
for 2015. She was GBCA All-Region 1st Team, GBCA 13th Region Player of the Year, &
1st Team All-State in 2013-14.
Morris plays for the nationally-ranked Kentucky Premier AAU program and Coach
David Tapley where she has been their leading scorer in 2014.
Bell’s Morris part of a 3 on 3 U18 team competing in Colorado Springs
Left to Right, Chassity Carter, Shakayla Thomas, Doug Bush, Shaquera Wade & Maci Morris
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Page 4 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
Railsplitters offering
youth baseball camp in June
HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The Lincoln
Memorial University baseball team will host
its annual 'Splitter Youth Baseball Camp
from June 9 until June 12 at Lamar Hennon
Field on the campus of LMU in Harrogate,
Tennessee.
The camp is open to children ages 5 to
12, and it is designed to teach the fundamen-
tals of the game of baseball to youth players.
Members of the LMU coaching staff and
players will provide daily instruction on
proper throwing and catching technique, in-
field and outfield play, pitching and hitting.
In addition to that, campers will have daily
access to the swimming pool. Each day of
the camp will conclude with a game at
Lamar Hennon Field.
Campers should bring a glove, bat,
spikes/cleats, hat, batting gloves, bathing suit
and towel, but none of those items are nec-
essary. Children are encouraged to attend as
they are. There is no obligation to purchase
any equipment not currently owned. Equip-
ment can be provided as it necessitates.
The camp begins on Monday, June 9,
running from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily. The
final day of the camp is Thursday, June 12.
If registration is completed and returned
by Monday, June 2, the cost is $100, a $20
discount from the normal price of $120. The
cost of admission includes a daily lunch, a
camp T-shirt, instruction from the LMU
coaching staff and players, game play, con-
tests and swimming in the LMU pool located
in Mary Mars Gymnasium.
Dates announced for Second Annual
LMU Softball Overnight Summer Camp
HARROGATE, Tenn. -- Lady Railsplit-
ter head softball coach Natalie Layden has
announced that the second annual LMU
Softball Overnight Summer Camp will be
held June 9-12 at Neely Field and on the
campus of Lincoln Memorial University.
Beginning on the evening of June 9 and
ending mid-day on June 12, the overnight
summer camp provides a short but intense
introduction to the culture of the LMU soft-
ball program. The first day will be reserved
primarily for drill work as well as detailed
instruction at each individual player's defen-
sive position. Athletes will also be taken
through hitting sessions that include the day-
to-day work undertaken by the Lady Rail-
splitters. Hitting sessions include base
running training to instill the development of
the all-around athlete.
The camp will be dedicated to live-game
action on the second and third days as ath-
letes will be able to use those in-game op-
portunities to showcase their skills and
receive immediate feedback.
There are two different options for at-
tending the LMU Overnight Summer Camp.
For an overnight camper, a non-refundable
$195 deposit is due before registration, while
$200 is due either before or on the day of
registration ($395 total). For a commuter, it's
$325 total with a $125 non-refundable de-
posit due before registration.
For any and all questions regarding the
LMU Softball Overnight Summer Camp,
contact Natalie Layden by phone
(919.452.9389), or by email (natalie.lay-
[email protected]), or assistant coach
Michelle Batts by phone (630.415.8854) or
email ([email protected]).
LMU Women's Basketball Announces
Summer Camp Schedule
HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The LMU
women's basketball team has released the
dates for the 2014 summer camp schedule
with an offering of four different camps.
The Lady Railsplitters will host a pair of
team camps at Tex Turner Arena and Mary
E. Mars Gymnasium, the secondary site lo-
cated on the main LMU campus. The high
school team camp runs from June 9-11,
while the exclusive middle school camp is
scheduled for June 16-18. Teams entered in
either camp are guaranteed at least nine
games, a post-camp tournament and an over-
time tournament. The high school camp cost
$40 and the middle school camp is $30.
The first of two individual camps, the
Women's Basketball Skills Camp, is set to
begin on June 23 and run through June 25.
For $75 per camper, attendees will receive a
camp T-shirt, individualized coaching from
members of the LMU staff and players,
game play and contests. Girls ranging from
third through 12th grade are eligible to attend
the camp, which will be held from 8:30 a.m.
until 4:30 p.m. on the scheduled days. Fi-
nally, the Lady Railsplitters will offer a spe-
cial one-day only High Intensity Camp on
June 28 for girls ranging from grades 8-12.
The High Intensity Camp is $100 to attend,
a price tag that also includes a camp T-shirt
with eight hours of individual instruction and
game play.
The Lincoln Memorial University women's
basketball summer camps are committed to
providing a both productive and enjoyable
experience for those who attend.
Lincoln Memorial University hosting several youth summer athletic camps
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May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 5
Pineville High School Basketball
Summer Team Camp
Tentative Schedule
June 9-12(subject to change)
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Page 6 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
Kentucky Two-Way Star Tabbed CollegiateBaseball National Player of the Year
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Southeastern
Conference Player of the Year, Kentucky
junior lefty/first baseman A.J. Reed has been
named the National Player of the Year by
Collegiate Baseball, it was announced by the
magazine on Thursday afternoon.
Reed becomes the first player in Ken-
tucky history to earn national player of the
year honors and the 13th player in the history
of the SEC to earn NCAA Player of the Year
accolades. Reed, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound two-
way star, is seeking to become just the third
SEC player to earn consensus national player
of the year honors, joining David Price
(2007) and Dave Magadan (1983).
There are five major national player of
the year awards, including the Golden Spikes
Award, presented by USA Baseball. The Na-
tional Collegiate Baseball Writers Associa-
tion presents the Dick Howser Trophy each
season in Omaha, Neb., during the College
World Series, with Baseball America and the
American Baseball Coaches Association also
crowning a national player of the year. Price
won all five of the national honors, with Ma-
gadan winning the Baseball America and
Golden Spikes Award in 1983.
A native of Terre Haute, Ind., Reed joins
SEC legends Magadan, Price, Will Clark
(1985), Derick Lilliquist (1987), Ben Mc-
Donald (1989), Lloyd Peever (1992), Todd
Helton (1995), Tim Hudson (1997), Brad
Wilkerson (1998), Eddy Furniss (1998), Kip
Bouknight (2000) and Mike Zunino (2012)
as national players of the year in the confer-
ence.
A consensus freshman All-American in
2012, Reed was also named a first-team All-
American by Collegiate Baseball, marking
the 17th player in Kentucky history to earn
All-America honors, dating back to Dom
Fucci in 1949. Reed is the first All-American
for the Wildcats since Sawyer Carroll and
Collin Cowgill were each honored in 2008.
The college baseball leader in homers
(23), slugging (.768) and OPS (1.259), Reed
also ranks as the SEC leader in RBI (70), on-
base percentage (.491), wins (11), walks (47)
and total bases (162). He also ranks third in
the SEC in average (.351), second in runs
(59), eighth in doubles (17), ninth in hits (74)
sixth in ERA (2.10), third in innings pitched
(103.0) and ninth in strikeouts (68). Reed is
currently .002 points shy of the SEC lead in
batting average and is vying for the second
triple-crown in SEC history and the first
since Rafael Palmeiro in 1984. There has
never been an SEC player to led the confer-
ence in homers and pitching victories.
Reed has hit .310 in his 168-game UK
career, with 34 doubles, three triples, 40
homers and 165 RBI. On the mound, Reed
has an 18-13 record and the third-best ERA
in UK career history (2.86), working 239 in-
nings with 171 strikeouts.
No. 22 Kentucky (35-23) opened the
NCAA Tournament against Kansas at
Louisville’s Jim Patterson Stadium.
COLLEGIATE BASEBALL
NCAA PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
2014: LHP/1B A.J. Reed, Kentucky
2013: 3B Kris Bryant, San Diego
2012: RHP Nick Petree, Missouri St.
2011: RHP Trevor Bauer, UCLA
2010: LHP Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast
2009: P Stephen Strasburg, San Diego St.
2008: C Buster Posey, Florida St.
2007: LHP David Price, Vanderbilt
2B Tony Thomas, Florida St.
2006: RHP Wes Roemer, Cal. St. Fullerton
OF Kellen Kulbacki, James Madison
2005: OF Shane Robinson, Florida St.
2004: RHP Jered Weaver, Long Beach St.
2003: 2B Rickie Weeks, Southern
2002: SS Khalil Greene, Clemson
2001: RHP Mark Prior, Southern California
2000: RHP Kip Bouknight, South Carolina
1999: UT Jason Jennings, Baylor
1998: OF Kevin Mench, Delaware
1997: OF J.D. Drew, Florida St.
1996: RHP Kris Benson, Clemson
1995: 1B/P Todd Helton, Tennessee
OF/P Mark Kotsay, Cal. St. Fullerton
1994: P/1B Ryan Jackson, Duke
1993: UT Brooks Kieschnick, Texas
1992: P Lloyd Peever, Louisiana St.
1991: P Bobby Jones, Fresno St.
1990: OF Mike Kelly, Arizona St.
1989: P Ben McDonald, Louisiana St.
UT Scott Bryant, Texas
1988: P Andy Benes, Evansville
1987: 3B Robin Ventura, Oklahoma St.
1B Marteese Robinson, Seton Hall
1986: P Greg Swindell, Texas
1985: OF Pete Incaviglia, Oklahoma St.
1984: OF Oddibe McDowell, Arizona St.
Kentucky’s A.J. Reed named National Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball
Congratulations should be commonplace to Kentucky’s A.J. Reed by now. He is the first
UK baseball player to earn national player of the year honors.
Photos courtesy of UK Athletics
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May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 7
Approximately sixty runners and walkers participated in the 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival 5K Run this year. The two runners above continue to dominate this event as Kelly
Brown (above left) was the top finisher in the women’s division, while brother James Brown (above right) won the men’s division and was the first runner across the finish line again this
year. Pinnacle Photos / John Engle
Huge Savings!
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Page 8 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
For reduced golfing rates go to playpinemountain.com
Champion ~ Matt Gann Senior Champion ~ Elmo Greer
Third Flight ~ Austin CaldwellFirst Flight ~ Chase Kress Second Flight ~ Mark Keith
Congratulationsto this year’s winners in the 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Golf Classic
and thanks to all who participated!
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May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 9
Championship Sunday at the 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Golf Classic
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Page 10 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
13th Region
Softball 2014
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May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 11
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union head football coach Zak
Willis recently released the list of signees for the 2014 cam-
paign, which totals out at 47 newcomers.
"Our 2014 signing class is a particularly strong one in
terms of the overall speed and athleticism of the group as a
whole," said Willis. "We definitely were able to sign quality
student-athletes who will contribute heavily to an already
bright future for Union football both on and off of the field."
In an effort to win the battle in the trenches, the Bulldogs
added a total of 13 linemen - nine on offense and four on de-
fense. Union also sought to strengthen its defense as it is
bringing in a total of 26 defensive players. In addition to the
defensive linemen, the Bulldogs signed 15 linebackers, seven
defensive backs.
Offensively, Union added nine offensive linemen, six
wide receivers, three running backs and three quarterbacks.
The newest Bulldogs come from all over the United
States with 18 hailing from Kentucky. Florida is the next
highest represented state with 10, while six signees are from
Alabama and six more are from Georgia. There are two com-
ing in from California, while Texas, Connecticut, Tennessee,
Minnesota and Indiana each are represented by one.
Willis, who took the reins of the football program in mid-
April, credits the coaching staff for bringing in a solid class.
"I want to recognize our staff who in spite of being un-
sure of their futures selflessly devoted themselves to recruit-
ing this class, maintaing relationships with those signees and
keeping our program headed in the right direction," Willis
said. "We are fortunate to have such coaches."
This is the third head coaching post for Willis, who pre-
vious manned the programs at Mid-South Conference East
rival Pikeville (Ky.) and NCAA Division II Newberry (S.C.).
Willis owns a career record of 55-37.
Union went 3-8 overall in 2013 and 2-4 in the Mid-South
Conference East. The Bulldogs are set to open their 10-game
schedule on Aug. 28 at Murray State (Ky.). Union's home
opener is set for Sept. 20 versus Cumberlands (Ky.).
Union College 2014 Football Signees
Aldridge, Jonathan OL Hartford, KY Ohio County HS
Averhart, Kevin LB Dora, AL Corner HS
Averhart, Jacob LB Dora, AL Corner HS
Banks, William OL Cumberland Harlan Co. HS
Bell, Alex QB Daytona Beach, FL City College
Bernhard, Ryan OL Winchester, KY GR Clark HS
Bishop, Justice DL Greensburg, KY Green Co. HS
Bradbury, Hunter LB Cummings, GA West Forsyth HS
Brigham, Tequavis LB Marianna, FL Marianna HS
Brooks, Stephen LB Dayton, KY Newport Catholic
Burris, Blake WR Arlington, TX Oakridge School
Byerly, Blake QB Louisville, KY PRP HS
Coleman, Ryan LB Dacula, GA Buford HS
Collier, William OL Smithfield, KY Henry County HS
Crumitie, Charkues LB Monticello, FL Rickards HS
Dandridge, Garfield RB Middletown, CT Lackawanna Juco
Davis, Marques LB Columbus, GA Shaw HS
Dixon, Marcus RB Daytona Beach, FL Snow College
Gibbs, Kermit OL Louisville, KY Fern Creek HS
Harris, Andrew WR Pineville, KY Bell County HS
Harrison, Vernon LB Berea, KY Mad. Southern HS
Hay, Kay DB Blue Jay, CA San Bernadino
Huddleston, Matthew OL Thomasville, GA Thomasville HS
Isenhoff, Michael DL Chipley, FL Vernon HS
Keplinger, Kyle WR Hesperia, CA Victor Valley Col.
Laguerre, Juwel DB Homestead, FL Miami Sunset HS
Locker, Samuel OL Columbia, KY Adair County HS
McCoy, Nathaniel WR Warsaw, KY Gallatin Co.HS
Morgan, Jordan DL Butler, KY Pendleton Co. HS
Morrison, Brycyn DB Defuniak Springs, FL Walton HS
Morton, Lance QB Blaine, TN Grainger HS
Neal, Keith RB Williston, FL Williston HS
Reavish, Gaiyon LB Smyrna, GA Campbell HS
Reynolds, DJ WR Virginia, MN Mesabi CC
Reynolds, William DB Hueytown, AL Hueytown HS
Robbins, John OL Arjay, KY Pineville HS
Rogers, Travis LB Versailles, KY Woodford Co. HS
Sester, Phillip DB Manchester, KY Clay County HS
Silas, Julian DB Vernon, FL Vernon HS
Tanner, Kyle LB Marianna, FL Marianna HS
Turner, Nicholas LB Dudley, GA West Lauren HS
Weeks, Jabari LB Hueytown, AL Hueytown HS
Weeks, Malik DL Hueytown, AL Hueytown HS
Westhoff, Gregory WR Independence, KY Boone County HS
Williams, Ed LB Robertsdale, AL Robertsdale HS
Willoughby, Chase OL Eubank, KY Pulaski Co. HS
Wyrick, Dakota DB Franklin, IN Franklin Co.HS
Union College adds 47 to their football roster
for tee times
or club membership information
call 606-248-3831
You can visit us online at
www.middlesborocountryclub.com
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Page 12 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
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May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 13
By – Ira D. Combs
Tri State Sports Media Service Inc.
www.combsbrothersonkysports.com
Normally when late May rolls around
most of the ”True Blue” members of Big
Blue Nation are gearing their interest and
thoughts toward basketball and / or football
recruiting service reports on the elite players
that UK is after for the upcoming signing pe-
riods next November for basketball and Feb-
ruary for football . Not this May.
With both the UK softball team and
baseball teams locked into solid post season
runs this early summer , those UK fans who
are truly UK fans and not just long time foot-
ball or basketball junkies have an opportu-
nity to follow (2) of Mitch Barnhart’s most
prized projects over the last (5) years come
to fruition . It has been a passion of Barn-
hart’s to make UK a successful and well
rounded athletic department and the fruits of
his labor are finally paying off , not to men-
tion hard working coaches like Rachel Law-
son – softball and Gary Henderson –
baseball .Lawson’s softball team will be
making the school’s first ever appearance
thursday evening in the NCAA women’s
softball college World Series in Oklahoma
City , Oklahoma . They will play Louisiana
– Lafayette at 7:00 p.m. EST. on ESPN2 .
UK enters the game with a 49 – 17 record
which is the schools all time best . UK beat
12 time NCAA softball champion UCLA 2
games in a row Sunday afternoon right in
their own backyard to gain the historic bid to
Oklahoma City . Lawson is in her 7th season
as the head coach at UK and it is her 1st ap-
pearance as a head coach in the NCAA soft-
ball championships .
Gary Henderson’s hard charging base-
ball team just finished storming thru college
baseball’s most difficult conference tourna-
ment at a 3 – 1 clip which earned them an at
large bid in the NCAA baseball tournament
. Henderson’s Bat Cats finally got a favor-
able seed both in 1st round competition and
location . UK opens play in the 2014 NCAA
baseball tournament just one hour down 1 –
64 at Jim Patterson Stadium on the U of L
campus . UK will open the Louisville re-
gional at 2:00 p.m. against the Kansas “Jay-
hawks” with no TV broadcast but you can
pull the game up live on the www.espn3.com
internet site . The host school Louisville will
play Kent State later Friday at 6:00 p.m. and
the two winners and losers will play each
other on Saturday again at 2:00 and 6:00
with Saturday’s first game winner playing
Saturday’s 2nd game loser Sunday at 6:00 in
the double elimination tournament .
The Louisville regional winner from this
weekend will play the Nashville winner the
following weekend in a best 2 of 3 super re-
gional series with that winner advancing to
the college baseball World Series in Omaha
, Nebraska the 2nd week of June .
You can go to www.ukathletics.com for
tickets to the 1st round regional site in
Louisville . Full tournament book type tick-
ets are available for all sessions or you can
buy single game tickets for all UK games on
a game by game basis .
Reds Handicapped By
Injuries and Inept OffenseAs we leave Memorial Day weekend be-
hind us and enter the last full week of May
ending the 2nd full month of the 2014 MLB
season the Cincinnati ”Reds” remain stuck
in 3rd place of the Central division of the Na-
tional League 21 – 26 basically treading
water for the last four weeks .
The main reason for this difficult period
of time for the pride of the Queen City is be-
cause they still for the most part have been
playing with a Mash Unit since opening day
. The teams # 2 starting pitcher Mat Latos
has yet to toe the mound and it appears will
not until early June at best . The teams stud
closer Aroldis Chapman “The Cuban
Missle” just 10 days ago finally was acti-
vated back on the roster . Offensively it’s
been a real struggle , yet , since basically the
3rd week of the season you can’t place much
of the blame on it’s new leadoff hitter Billy
Hamilton which is where everyone thought
the offense would struggle if it did going
into the season .
The offensive struggles start and end
with the teams two highest paid players (
Joey Votto and Jay Bruce ) who both have
been on the DL at least once already this sea-
son and Votto resides their as we speak with
the Reds headed west this week for one of
it’s most difficult road trips of the season and
Votto can’t be activated until the team re-
turns back for it’s opening home stand of
June . Now the Reds hottest hitter Devin
Mesoraco who was hitting over .400 when
he went on the DL just returned and is
mirred in a 1 – 21 slump as the Reds head
for the coast this week and since misery
loves company Jay Bruce’s uniquely quick
return from his knee surgery evidently didn’t
do anything for his recovery at the plate be-
cause he was 1 – 11 striking out (9) times
against the Cardinals this past weekend .
It’s still not time to hit the panic button
but it’s beginning to be frustrating to many
long time Reds fans to accept the fact that
the Reds have never won a playoff game in
Great American Ball Park . Yes , that’s an ac-
curate statement . As a matter of fact if you’ll
trace back thru the record books you’ll see
that the Reds have actually won the ( last 8
World Series games that they have played in
, 1976 vs. New York Yankees 4 - 0 sweep
and in 1990 4 – 0 sweep vs. Oakland A’s )
actually counting the 7th game of the 1975
World Series vs. the Boston Red Sox they
have won (9) WS games in a row but nothing
in the post season at GABP has ended with
the home team celebrating .
It appears the Reds are headed toward
another hapless post season and this year
they may be out of contention by the all star
break if some lightning doesn’t strike the
Reds bats in the coming weeks .
You can go online to www.combsbroth-
ersonkysports.com for more coverage of UK
football and basketball as well as KHSAA
football and baseball as well .
UK softball and baseball take center stage nationally
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Collegiate Women
Sports Awards (CWSA) will present Univer-
sity of Kentucky women’s soccer All-Amer-
ican Arin Gilliland with the 2014 Honda
Inspiration Award on June 30 at 8 p.m. ET,
at the USC Galen Center Founders Room in
Los Angeles.
“This is an absolutely amazing award to
win and I am extremely humbled and hon-
ored to be the recipient,” Gilliland said.
“This award means more to me than any
award that I have ever received before in my
life. I hope that my story has inspired people
to go out and live their dreams. I think win-
ning this award means a lot to me because it
means that people can follow my footsteps
and see how I have overcome the adversity
in my life. I am absolutely speechless for the
honor and I want to thank everyone involved
in nominating me and also to the CWSA
board members for electing me
as the winner. There are a lot of
prestigious winners of this
award, and I am so proud to be
joining that elite group of
women.”
The Honda Inspiration
Award is given to one female
athlete a year who has over-
come hardship and was able to
return to play at the collegiate
level.
“What strikes me the most when hearing
that Arin won this prestigious award was
how much she has grown so much in her
time at Kentucky,” Kentucky head coach Jon
Lipsitz said. “She has developed into an in-
credible leader for this team on and off the
field and continues to be humble and gra-
cious. Arin has overcome an incredible
amount of adversity in her life
and is truly an amazing story.
We are thankful to have her in
our program and honored to be
a part of this wonderful awards
ceremony.”
"Being awarded such a
prestigious honor like the Honda
Inspiration Award is something
that Arin has absolutely de-
served in her time at Kentucky,”
UK director of athletics Mitch
Barnhart said. “Since she stepped foot on
campus three years ago, her passion and love
for her team and school has been one of the
driving forces in our recent women's soccer
success. Arin has overcome a lot of obstacles
in her life and has handled them exception-
ally well. We are elated for Arin and could
not be more proud of her for receiving this
honor."
In the spring of 2011. Gilliland’s mother,
Letita, passed away from cancer in the sum-
mer of her sophomore season. Gilliland has
continued to push forward, realizing her
dreams of playing soccer for the United
States National Team, as well as the Univer-
sity of Kentucky. Also in 2011, Gilliland tore
her ACL in the 2011 SEC Tournament quar-
terfinal against Tennessee, and had to miss
the rest of the season, including Kentucky’s
first NCAA Tournament match since the
2006 season, and first time hosting an
NCAA Tournament match since 1999.
“Arin put her family first and was a gift to
her mother and father,” UK President Dr. Eli
Capilouto said. “She has been a wonderful
gift to her teammates every year here at Ken-
tucky, and she will be an everlasting gift to
the memories of all of the UK family.”
UK senior soccer star Arin Gilliland to receive 2014 Honda Inspiration Award
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Page 14 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
July will mark my
eleventh year of doing
this column. It has been
a very satisfying and
life-altering period of
time. It all started when
I bought an ad in two
different newspapers for
an event that was taking
place. Each individual
left my office with my
first attempt at Outdoor
Truths promising me
they would sporadically
run the article as space
became available. Each
paper has carried the
column ever since and
has only rarely missed putting it in their pub-
lication. What began with two newspa-
pers is now in several newspapers as well as
some regional magazines and on many web-
sites. I reminisce not to boast but to tell you
how blessed I have been through these many
years. Those blessings have come from sev-
eral avenues. First of all, I have had the won-
derful privilege of being a part of some great
home-town newspapers and blue-collar
hunting and fishing magazines. The men and
women who make up these publications
truly understand that a great segment of their
readers are hunters, fishermen (or women),
and believers in God. We may have different
doctrinal beliefs and some may not even be
totally sure about church and Christians, and
even Christ. But what we are all sure about
is that Someone greater than man created
this earth that we get to play in every time
we hunt or fish. Our local newspapers at
times take a lot of criticism but they also
bring you the good stuff that many folks in
bigger cities never get.
Another blessing that
has thrilled my soul is
when you tell me about
how some story I have
written about caused
you to remember a spe-
cial outdoor time in your
life with a father,
mother, or friend. These
stories come just at the
right time and make me
feel so honored to have
had a part of bringing
back these precious
memories. And lastly,
these eleven years have
made me more sensitive
to what creation has to say about God. It was
a few years ago that I realized when Jesus
started His ministry here on earth, and He
went looking for some good men who He
would make His disciples, the first place he
went was to the lake and there He found
Peter and his brother Andrew and made them
“fishers of men.” Many fishermen that I
know might not consider themselves disciple
material but God must think differently. I’ve
learned that God’s provision is illustrated by
the sparrow and the lily. His care is illus-
trated by the sheep and his power in our life
by His ability to speak peace to the winds
and the waves. And I am more convinced
than ever that He knows your name, cares for
you immensely, and hurts when you hurt. If
I began to count my blessings there’s no
doubt that my time with you each week
would be at the top.
Gary Miller
Outdoor Truthswith Gary Miller
Averaged 9.3 points, 4.6 reboundsand 2.0 assists in nine games
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore guard Do-
minique Hawkins concluded his trip to the
Far East with Sports Reach and has returned
to the United States. Hawkins joined several
other collegiate players and participated in
the cultural exchange that also included play-
ing in nine games.
Hawkins averaged 9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds
and 2.0 assists per game in the nine contests.
The Richmond, Ky., native topped double-
figures in three games including a break-out
27-point effort in a win over Lithuania. In
that contest, Hawkins was 10-of-15 from the
field and connected on both of his attempts
from long range.
In a game against the Lithuania All-Stars,
Hawkins hauled in 11 rebounds and dished
out five assists while contributing six points.
He concluded the trip with back-to-back
double-figure scoring efforts with tallies of
11 against Athletas Lithuania and 14 against
Atletis Lithuania.
Hawkins played in 33 games for UK’s na-
tional runner-up squad. He scored 25 points
and hauled in 23 rebounds while dishing out
12 assists in his first season. The 6-foot
guard served as a top defensive performer
during UK’s NCAA Tournament run with
John Calipari citing his efforts against
Michigan’s Nik Stauskas as a key to UK’s
win over the Wolverines.
Hawkins is one of several Wildcats who
have participated in the cultural exchange
during Calipari’s tenure. Other players who
have participated include Josh Harrellson,
Jon Hood and Eloy Vargas. Harrellson’s trip
came in the summer of 2010 and was fol-
lowed by a breakout senior campaign in
which he averaged 7.6 points and 8.7 re-
bounds per game while shooting 61 percent
from the field.
Joining Hawkins on the trip were players
from Illinois, Jacksonville State, Murray
State, Southern, TCU, Texas Tech and Troy.
Founded in 1986 by Robby Spear, Sports
Reach attempts to reach the world through
sports. For more information on Sports
Reach, visit sportsreach.org.
Kentucky sophomore Dominique Hawkins
concludes his trip to the Far East
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May 2014 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM Page 15
Pinnacle Photos / Ray Welch
13th Region
Baseball 2014
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Page 16 WWW.PINNACLESPORTSVIEW.COM May 2014
Pinnacle Photo ~ 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Golf Classic