By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Campbell County pitcher Tyler Schumacher posted his second complete game shutout in the post-season playoffs on Saturday when he blanked George Rogers Clark, 8-0, in the semifinals of the 10th Region tournament.
The senior right-hander allowed only two hits and had 10 strikeouts in the victory that puts the Camels (24-13) in the region final for the first time since 2023. They will the face Montgomery County (30-7) in the title game at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Brossart High School field.
Montgomery County outscored Scott, 8-5, in the other region semifinal game on Saturday. Scott ends the season with a 17-19 record.
Last year, Montgomery County defeated Campbell County, 5-2, in a 10th Region semifinal game. This will be the first time the teams have faced each other this season.
All four of Campbell County’s playoff victories have been shutouts. In the 37th District final, the Camels defeated Scott, 3-0, with Schumacher going the distance. The Marshall University recruit has an 8-1 record with 107 strikeouts and 1.03 ERA.
When he’s not on the mound, Schumacher plays shortstop for the Camels. He entered Saturday’s game with a team-high .514 batting average, another reason why he was named 10th Region Player of the Year by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association.
Trip Mercurio will likely be Campbell County’s starting pitcher in Sunday’s region final. The sophomore’s last outing was Monday when he went seven innings in a 5-0 win over Bracken County in the opening game of the region tournament. He has an 8-2 record and 3.50 ERA.
The 10th Region champion will play LaRue County in the first round of the state tournament at 10 a.m. Friday at Legends Field in Lexington. Beechwood will take on West Jessamine in another first-round game at 8:30 p.m. Friday.