Grant Floyd and JJ Thompson were electric on the mound, David Jent and Tra Fowler had monster nights at the plate, and the Heritage Christian Academy baseball team used a huge sixth inning to finish off Dawson Springs in dominant fashion Monday. The host Warriors, who were victors by a count of 11-1, won for the fourth time in as many games to start the 2022 season.
Floyd got the start for Heritage and scattered four hits in four innings of work. He also struck out four, walked just one, and allowed a run before yielding to Thompson, The sophomore southpaw proceeded to strike out five of the six batters he faced in two innings of relief, allowing just one hit in a near-perfect appearance. In seven innings on the young season, Thompson has 16 strikeouts and has allowed just one hit.
Thompson also got it done at the plate and helped set the tone early. He tripled to lead off the bottom of the first and scored on Trenton Hayes’ sacrifice fly for an early Warrior lead. HCA then exploded for a trio of two-out runs in the third inning, as RBI singles from Jent and Fowler and an RBI double from Floyd put the visiting Panthers in a 4-0 hole.
Dawson Springs (0-2) did get a run back when Matthew Cunningham scored on a two-out wild pitch in the fourth, but HCA got it right back on Hayes’ RBI groundout during the bottom half of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, leading 5-1, Heritage Christian decided to call ‘game.’ Despite a lead-off groundout, the Warriors had the next eight batters reach base, including a bases-loaded walk by Thompson. Jent and Fowler then delivered respective two-run singles that ended the game via the mercy rule.
Jent (3-for-4) and Fowler (2-for-3) combined for six RBIs, two runs, and five of HCA’s 11 hits. Thompson finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Hayes had two RBIs and drew one of six HCA walks. Seven different Warriors recorded hits in the decisive victory.
Bailey Heaton (0-1) took the loss for DSHS after giving up eight hits and five runs in five innings pitched. He also struck out six and walked two. Offensively, the Panthers got two hits and a double each from Landon Smiley and Bryden Mann in the losing effort.
HCA (4-0), which is playing its first season with a KHSAA schedule, will try to remain unbeaten when they travel to Franklin Road on Tuesday.
