A year after winning the All “A” Classic Statewide Baseball Tournament, Owensboro Catholic is back in the semi-finals after cruising past Hazard 12-2, highlighted by Barrett Evans’ mammoth three-run homer.
“I thought we played fundamental and sound baseball,” Owensboro Catholic head coach Jody Hamilton said. “We had some big hits with runs on base, which we haven’t done in a while. I’m happy with the results.”
Jaxson White started on the mound for the Aces and quickly recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first on only 15 pitches. By the time he took the mound in the top of the second, he was handed a 1-0 lead after a Parker Heistand RBI single.
White helped himself out in the bottom of the second, crushing a two-run double to make it 3-0. A consequent Evans single and Heistand sacrifice fly would make it 5-0. Hazard scored two unearned runs in the top of the third to cut it to 5-2, but the Aces immediately responded.
Reece Sims walked with the bases loaded, and Heistand grounded into a fielder’s choice to push the lead back to five, before a Mason Moser single made it 8-2. Evans homered in the bottom of the fourth before Tucker Evans singled home Moser in the bottom of the fifth to end the game via mercy rule.
Barrett Evans finished 2-3 with four RBIs, while Heistand went 1-3 with three RBIs. Chris Burns, Sims, and White each had two hits. On the mound, White threw a complete game, giving up two unearned runs over five innings, striking out six.
“Jaxson was really good,” Hamilton said. “He threw everything for strikes and mostly kept ahead in the count. If we make the plays behind him, it’s just like every other pitcher, they are going to be really successful.”
This morning at 8:30, the Aces square off against Raceland in the semi-finals, with the winner playing in the Championship game later this afternoon.
“I would love to see the same thing tomorrow, but baseball is a funny game,” Hamilton said. “Hopefully, we can come out and have a positive attitude, stay focused throughout the entire game, and see how it goes.”
