University Heights Academy’s Hayden Hunt drew inspiration from his brother and pitched the host Blazers to a 6-0 victory in the District 8 Baseball Tournament championship Wednesday night.
Hunt wore the glove of his brother, Hensley, who passed away unexpectedly last fall. The junior right-hander used the inspiration to strike out 13 Colonels and allowed only a double by Sebastian Dazey in the second inning.
Hunt said he shook off a shaky start before finding his groove.
Christian County (15-14) threatened to score in the first and second innings, leaving three runners in scoring position. Hunt struck the final three hitters of the first inning and then got a strikeout to end the second with a runner on third.
Meanwhile, Christian County’s Eddie Davis started strong, retiring the first eight batters he saw with five strikeouts. However, the lanky right-hander walked the next two batters and then had to leave the game with a back injury.
The Blazers (18-10) greeted relief pitcher Nolan Young with four hits, including a two-run single by Jackson Flynn to take a 6-0 lead.
Colonels’ coach Cole Isom said the Blazers were able to get the hits when they needed them.
The Colonels had runners in scoring position again in the third, fourth, and seventh innings, but failed to score against Hunt.
UHA Coach Scott Gentry said Hunt set the tone in the first inning.
Flynn led UHA, which won its second straight District 8 Baseball Tournament title, with two hits. Cadence Gibson had a double.
Both teams advance to the Region 2 Tournament, which will be played at Lyon County next week. The draw for the tournament is scheduled for around 9 a.m. Thursday.
Score by Innings:
University Heights 006 000 0 – 6 6 0
Christian County 000 000 0 – 0 1 1
WP – Hunt
LP – Davis
Leading Hitters: UHA – Co. Gibson (1B), Ca. Gibson (2B), Jones (1B), Finch (1B), Flynn (2 1B); CCHS – Dazey (2B).
Photos by Jeff Sisk