On opening night for the local schools, Daviess County, McLean County, Owensboro, Owensboro Catholic, and Trinity (Whitesville) all started the season off with wins.
Daviess County 18, Butler County 0
The Panthers immediately blew open the game in the first inning, scoring nine runs on the way to a 11-0 win over Ohio County. Brody Brubaker led the way at the plate, finishing 1-2 with three RBIs, while Lucas Ward went 2-4 with an RBI. Noah Ranburger added two hits, while Parker Wilson scored a run and had a pair of RBIs.
On the mound Logan Mewes threw four no-hit innings, striking out five and walking three. Wilson closed out the game, allowing one hit and striking out one.
“I thought we played well,” Daviess County head coach Austin Clay said. “We hit pretty well early on and Mewes threw great for us on the mound. I thought he got better as the game went on. I would have liked to see us keep that same intensity we had int he first inning, but overall I thought we competed well for the first time out.”
McLean County 15, Hopkins County Central 0
The Cougars scored nine runs in the first inning to cruise to a 15-0 win over Hopkins County Central. Layden Bozarth, Houston Whitaker, Brooks Lynam and Hayden Hudson each had two RBIs, while on the mound Ayden Rice, Jaelin Groves, and Hayden Hudson combined to strike out eight and only allowed one hit.
“We played pretty well for our opening game,” McLean County head coach Darren Lynam said. “We put the ball in play and took advantage of our opportunities. Ayden Rice, Jaelin Groves, and Hayden Hudson were all solid on the mound.”
Owensboro 4, Warren East 1
After Evan Hampton led off the game with a solo homer, the Red Devils never trailed, beating Warren East 4-1. In the seventh inning, Not to be outdone by his brother, Eli Hampton hit a two-run homer in the seventh, while Blake Kimbrell finished 2-3 with an RBI. On the mound, Cayden Ray struck out seven over 4 1/3 shutout innings, while Will Rickard allowed one run over 2 2/3 innings.
Owensboro Catholic 10, Henderson County 0
Fresh off of a deep state tournament run in 2024, the Aces picked up where they left off – beating Henderson County 10-0. Brady Atwell finished 2-3 with an RBI, while Chris Burnes went 1-3 with two RBIs. Mason Moser, Alex Hood, and Parker Heistand each added an RBI.
Barrett Evans, Lane Hundley, Jaxson White, and Gentry Atwell combined to throw five shutout innings, striking out 10, allowing only two hits, and walking two.
“I was pleased with the win,” Owensboro Catholic head coach Jody Hamilton said. “Our pitching was good, and we will have some learning to do with our younger players. There is talent, but it will take time and patience.”
Trinity (Whitesville) 11, Heritage Christian 5
The Raiders scored nine runs across the first three innings en route to an 11-5 win over Heritage Christian. Connor Hatfield, Rylan Cecil, and Cale Boarman combined for eight RBIs, while Kaylin Howard went 1-4 with an RBI.
Harrison Barnett started the game on the mound, allowing one run across three innings, while striking out three. Cecil allowed two earned runs across 3 /13 innings, striking out five. Hatfield came out in relief in the seventh, collecting the last two outs.
“Tonight’s win was an all-around team effort and a good jumpstart to the season,” Trinity (Whitesville) head coach Matt Wright said. “I’m pleased with our at bats throughout the game, but especially in the beginning. We were able to jump on them early and it gave us the momentum right away. The boys ran the bases with aggressiveness and were looking to make something happen. I am really proud of the three pitchers tonight. They were all attacking the zone and really buckled down in big situations. The defense was solid. With our pitchers throwing strikes, the defense had to be ready to make plays. The defense made all the routine plays and didn’t let the other team gain any momentum with errors.”
