University Heights Academy will get a third crack at the Christian County Colonels after the Blazers cruised past Hopkinsville 8-1 Monday night in the District 8 Baseball Tournament semifinals at Chris Simmons Field.
UHA dropped both regular season games to the Colonels, falling 8-3 and 8-0.
On Monday, the Blazers’ offense came alive against Hopkinsville ace Andrew Mayes. Courtland Gibson started things off when he doubled to lead off the bottom of the first and moved to third on a sacrifice fly by Cadence Gibson. Mayes looked like he would get out of trouble, inducing Hayden Hunt into a shallow fly ball to right field for the second out. However, Courtland Gibson scooted home on a passed ball to make it 1-0.
In the second inning, UHA put five runs on the board on four hits. Cadence Gibson supplied the biggest blow to the Tigers with a three-run home that smashed against the scoreboard in left field.
Mayes settled down retiring eight of the next nine batters he faced.
However, Cadence Gibson reached on an error to open the fifth and came around to score on a single by Hunt. Hunt stole second base and then scored all the way from second on a sacrifice bunt by Eli Finch for an 8-0 lead.
Hopkinsville’s Gavin Powell put the Tigers on the board in the sixth when he doubled and moved to third on a balk. Gavin Mitchell singled to bring Powell home and cut the lead to 8-1. Hoptown looked like it was poised to do more damage, but Jayden Kellum into a double play and Cadence Gibson struck out Mayes to end the threat.
Jaiden Miles started the game for the Blazers and picked up the win. The junior right-hander went five innings and struck out eight while walking only one.
Courtland Gibson and Hunt each had a pair of hits to lead the Blazers’ attack.
Powell led Hopkinsville going 3-for-4.
UHA improves to 17-10 on the season and will take on Christian County (15-13) in the district title game tonight at 6 p.m. Airtime is 5:45 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm.
Hopkinsville saw its season end at 12-15.
Score by Innings:
Hopkinsville 000 001 0 – 1 6 2
University Heights 150 020 x – 8 7 0
WP – Miles
LP – Mayes
Leading Hitters: HHS – Sweeney (1B), Powell (2 1B, 2B), Mitchell (1B), Kellum (1B); UHA – Co. Gibson (2B, 1B), Ca. Gibson (HR), Hunt (2 1B), Flynn (1B), Turner (1B), Estes (1B).
Photos by Peyton Biaquis