In its 13 year, the Dreammaker Classic started an opportunity for high school baseball players to learn the value of giving back to their community by working and playing in an event for charity. During its tenure, the Dreammaker Classic has raised over $14,000 for local charities. This year’s Dreammaker Classic has been renamed The Preston Cope Classic with all proceeds going to the memorial scholarship fund in his name.
In a statement from Marshall County Athletics: “Preston was an excellent example of what the Dreammaker Classic vision was founded on in 2006. Teaching young men the value of giving generously and caring for people in our community, while sharing the gifts you have as a person, has always been our primary objective. Preston lived out these values to the benefit of his family, friends, teammates, and community.”
Evonik was the title sponsor for the event this year and Marshall County baseball stated they are fortunate to have Evonik help sponsor the event and raise funds for the Preston Cope Scholarship Fund.
In a statement from MCHS baseball: “We are very excited to host this event each year. We are fortunate to have Evonik help us sponsor this event and raise funds for the Preston Cope Scholarship Fund. This gives our players an opportunity to provide monetary help for a charity while also allowing them to see the importance of community service. We are very fortunate to have several coaches in the area that continue to commit to play each year to help make our event successful. I think it shows that it is not only is a local community event, but hopefully can continue to grow regionally. It has turned into such a great day of baseball and fun.”
The Marshals beat Graves County 10-4 and Carlisle County 4-2 in games on Saturday.
An early 2-0 lead with scoring coming on a single by Cole Griggs and RBI by Tyler Belcher ballooned into an 8-0 lead over Graves County in the third inning, scoring six runs on a 2-run double by Belcher, Riley Gillespie RBI and error that scored two, Buchmeier RBI and single by Griggs. Runs scored in the fifth on a single by Dalton Andersson and in the sixth on a double by Jackson Beal for the 10-4 win.
Graves County scored all of their four runs in the final three innings on a single by Conner Mills, an RBI by Clint Williams, wild pitch and single from Drew Montgomery.
The win went to Jordan Riley in four and two third innings, allowing four hits, one run and struck out three.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Graves | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
| Marshall | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | x | 10 | 14 | 1 |
HITTING
Graves: Howell 1/3 (2B), Richards 1/3 (2B), Mills 2/3 (RBI), Montgomery 1/4 (RBI), Dawson 1/4 (2B), Williams 1/4 (RBI)
Marshall: Buchmeier 3/5 (2-2B, RBI), Griggs 3/3 (2B, 2 RBI), Andersson 2/4 (RBI), Smothers 1/3, Belcher 2/4 (2B, 3 RBI), Gillespie (2 RBI), Stockdale 1/4, Beal 2/4 (2B, RBI)
PITCHING
Graves: Howell 3.0 (10 hits, 8 runs), Tinsman 3.0 (4 hits, 2 runs)
Marshall: Riley (W) 4.2 (4 hits, 1 run), Anderson 2.1 (4 hits, 3 runs)
Carlisle County scored a run in the first inning and one in the fifth but the Marshals sandwiched four runs in between for the 4-2 win. Two runs in the third came on a 2-run home run by Andersson and two runs in the fourth on an error and single by Buchmeier. The Comets runs were scored on a single by Ian Fry and RBI by Truman Davis.
Riley Harris got the win for the Marshals in seven innings, allowing seven hits, two runs and struck out one.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
| Carlisle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
| Marshall | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | x | 4 | 3 | 3 |
HITTING
Carlisle: Thomason 1/4 (2B), Fry 2/3 (2B, RBI), Davis (RBI), Elder 2/3, Jones 1/3, Bruer 1/3
Marshall: Buchmeier 1/1 (RBI), Andersson 1/2 (HR, 2 RBI), Belcher 1/3 (2B)
PITCHING
Carlisle: Fry 6.0 (3 hits, 4 runs)
Marshall: Harris (W) 7.0 (7 hits, 2 runs)
Record: Carlisle 23-7, Marshall 16-8