BY ANTHONY STEVENS

Sports Correspondent

BRISTOL, Va. — It was a game between two of the top teams in Region D.

Honaker has won the Black Diamond District regular season title and earned an automatic berth to the regional tournament.

Meanwhile, John Battle currently sits alone atop the Clinch Mountain District with three games remaining.

But when the two teams met on Wednesday night, it wasn’t the type of game you would expect from two strong teams, with John Battle taking a 9-6 win.

"It was a crazy game, there weren’t very many earned runs from either team," John Battle coach Larry Cannon said. "I think both teams just played a little sloppy and we were fortunate to come out on top."

The Trojans (12-4) received a solid performance from senior Paul Denton, who pitched five shutout innings to get the win.

"This was a big game for Denton," said Cannon. "He’s been pitching really well lately. He threw a few good innings on Monday against Grayson County. Denton is really coming along good and that is a big plus for our pitching staff."

Honaker’s Kevin Lester led off the game with a single against Denton. Denton didn’t allow another hit until the fifth when Justin Hall reached on an infield single. He totaled one strikeout and got help from his defense.

"I just felt great today," said Denton. "The team did a great job of backing me up."

Battle took a 1-0 lead in the second. Cody Calloway walked and scored when a grounder by Justin Hutton was thrown away by Honaker (15-2). The Trojans added seven runs in the fourth. There were three walks, two Honaker miscues, a bunt single and an infield single in that inning. The only ball that left the infield was a solid two-run double over third base by Josh Osborne who led John Battle with three hits.

"We just self-destructed in the fourth inning," said Honaker coach Tom Harding. "They only hit one ball hard in the inning. But you have to give John Battle credit. We’ve done that to people a few times this year too. They put some pressure on us and we folded up."

The Trojans held a 9-0 lead going to the seventh inning. With two outs and runners on first and second the Tigers made it interesting. Lester walked to load the bases. Clay Smith doubled to score two. Logan Ball singled to push across another run. David Keene followed with a three-run homer to right to make the score 9-6. Tim Arnold came to the mound in relief, striking out the only batter he faced.

Both teams play again on Friday. Honaker travels to Haysi, while John Battle hosts Lebanon.

Honaker 000 000 6 — 6 8 3

John Battle 010 701 x — 9 5 2

Honaker, Miller (4) and H. Wilson. Denton, Johnson (6), Arnold (7) and Jones. W—Denton (3-0). L—Honaker (3-1). S—Arnold. HR—Keene (H) 7th, two on.