For the second time in as many starts on the mound, UHA senior hurler Luke Welch delivered a complete-game performance to send the Blazers to a milestone victory. After topping Christian County in his last time out, Welch held visiting Lyon County to a single run to help the Blazers to a 3-1 upset in the opening round of the 2nd Region All-A tournament on Monday.
UHA moves on to a semifinal matchup with Crittenden County at Dawson Springs on Tuesday while evening its record at 5-5. The Lyons drop their second in three games to sit at 5-2 overall.
With the game still scoreless in the bottom of the 3rd, Cole Glover reached base on a dropped 3rd strike to start the inning. Eston Glover followed with a 2-out RBI single to give the Blazers a 1-0 edge.
UHA doubled its advantage in the bottom of the 5th when Ben Stone drew a bases-loaded walk from Lyon starter Austin Long. But the Lyons answered in their next at-bat on a Jackson Shoulders double that brought home Brody Williams after he had led off the inning with a single.
The Lyons had a chance to get more with runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, but Christian O’Daniel grounded into a fielder’s choice and Travis Yancy was thrown out at home. Yancy bowled over UHA catcher Eston Glover, resulting in his ejection, and the Blazers held on to the lead.
UHA added an insurance run on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 6th and Welch struck out two of the three batters he faced in the top of the 7th to secure the victory.
Welch scattered 4 hits with 3 walks and 8 strikeouts. He was also one of five Blazers to collect a hit, including Ty Hunt, Eston Glover, Cole Glover, and Ian Tyler. Eston Glover and Stone each had an RBI.
Long lasted 5.2 innings on the mound for the Lyons, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 5 hits with 5 walks and 10 strikeouts. Williams and Yancy each had a hit and Shoulders’ double provided the only RBI.
