PRESTONSBURG – Former 15th Region baseball champion Allen Central took an early exit from this year’s regional tournament. Allen Central was knocked out of the opening round of the 2011 15th Region Baseball Tournament on Monday evening as Belfry plated two or more runs in four different innings en route to an 11-4 win over the Rebels.

Jared Masters started on the mound and pitched the first three innings for the Pirates. Jeremy Workman replaced Masters on the mound and helped Belfry to clinch the win.

The two Belfry pitchers combined to record 11 strikeouts.

Allen Central pitcher Jake Prater suffered the loss.

The Rebels were forced to play from behind throughout the regional tournament game. Belfry plated three runs in the bottom half of the opening inning and never trailed. The Pirates packed a commanding 9-1 lead out of the third inning.

Allen Central pushed across three runs in the top half of the fourth inning but couldn’t battle back to enough to push Belfry for the win.

Zack Francisco, Michael Loeser, Madison Ghormley and Howie Dotson each had two singles for the Pirates.

Belfry claimed its 20th win opposed to 13 losses.

Dillon Lawson (courtesy running for Prater), Tyler Cole, Gage Parsons and Austin Barnette each scored one run for the Rebels.

Prater helped his pitching cause with a triple in the second inning. Lawson scored after courtesy running for the Allen Central starting pitcher.

Allen Central exited the season 11-18.

Pikeville 5, Paintsville 2: Defending champion Pikeville held off Paintsville 5-2 Monday in the 15th Region Baseball Tournament.

Senior pitcher Sam Burton claimed the win, hurling Pikeville into the regional semifinals.

Senior third baseman Clark Keene paced Pikeville (34-3) with three RBI. Junior shortstop Gavin Miller added a double for the Pikeville baseball team.

Sophomore Colby Burchett was 2-for-2 with a double for the Tigers. Jordan Stewart and Brooks Pelphrey added a double apiece for the 57th District runner-up.

Senior pitcher Zach Jackson suffered the loss for the Paintsville baseball team.

Paintsville ended the season 15-14 under the direction of first-year head coach John Doug Miller.

Lawrence County 14, Shelby Valley 5: The Lawrence County Bulldogs leveled Shelby Valley 14-5 in the 15th Region Baseball Tournament’s opening round.

Lawrence County pitchers Chris Cline (two innings) and Julius Musick (five innings) limited the Wildcats.

The Bulldogs plated 14 runs on 18 hits.

Chandler Shepherd, Ethan Daniel, Clark Rice, Cody Moore and Tate Banks each had three hits for the Bulldogs. Banks paced Lawrence County offensively as he was 3-for-5 with two doubles and five RBI.