The Red Devils got a strong outing from sophomore Cayden Ray on Tuesday, helping them defeat Owensboro Catholic on the road 5-4 for the first time since 2019.
Owensboro got off to a hot start, as three straight singles—the latter driving in a run courtesy of sophomore Will Hume—helped them grab a 1-0 lead after Ray had struck out the side in the bottom of the first. The Red Devils continued to add onto that momentum in the third as well, loading the bases and getting one run on a passed ball and two off of a single by eighth grader Ty Ashley to take a 4-0 lead.
The Aces responded swiftly though, getting their first run of the game on an RBI single from sophomore Brady Atwell with one out in the bottom of the third. Owensboro Catholic didn’t slow down either, grabbing two more runs on passed balls to cut the deficit to 4-3 heading into the fourth.
But freshman Elijah Hampton had other ideas, as the Red Devils catcher delivered a big solo home run to make it a 5-3 game in the top of the fourth. The Aces didn’t back down though, loading the bases with a pair of singles and a walk in the bottom of the fifth.
Sophomore Luke Quinn would get Owensboro Catholic a run on an RBI groundout, but freshman Barrett Evans struck out to strand a pair in scoring position and still trail 5-4 going into the sixth.
Then Ray was able to continue his strong outing for the Red Devils after that, not allowing another hit the rest of the way to help secure the 5-4 win.
Cayden tossed all seven innings to earn the win in his start, giving up two earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out 10. Ty Ashley led the way at the plate with a pair of RBIs, while Hume and Elijah Hampton both chipped in one each.
Meanwhile, junior Ben Hyland took the loss in his start for the Aces, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out six. Quinn pitched the last 3 ⅔ innings in relief, allowing three hits while striking out three—also joining Atwell as the only two players with an RBI in the contest.
Owensboro improves to 12-10 overall and 3-2 in district play, now tied with the Aces in district play. The Red Devils have now won four straight, hoping to take this momentum into a home game with Trinity (Whitesville) at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Owensboro Catholic on the other hand falls to 16-10 and 3-2 in district play, as they will look to turn things around in their regular season district finale against Apollo at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
