Last season, the 12-0 start for the eventual 2nd Region champion Christian County Colonels caught everyone off guard. That will not likely be the case in 2023, especially after the Colonels opened the season with a solid home win over the Bowling Green Purples in ‘brisk’ conditions.
Carter Sholar drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 4th and then drove in an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th as the Colonels picked up a 7-5 win over the Purples.
Christian County was leading 2-1 after three innings when Bowling Green erupted in the top of the 4th for four runs. The Purples strung together three hits with a Christian County error to score the runs that put them up 5-2.
But, as they showed last season on their way to the regional title, the Colonels are nothing if not resilient. Christian County quickly loaded the bases in the bottom of the 4th with the first three batters of the inning reaching safely. After a fielder’s choice at the plate and a strikeout, it looked as if a Colonel rally might not happen in the inning.
A bases-loaded balk would score the first run of the inning. After the bases were loaded back up with a walk to Preston Phan, Gage Montes scored on a passed ball to make it 5-4. Carter Sholar then doubled to center to score Sebastian Dazey and Preston Phan to put Christian County in the lead at 6-5.
Sholar would drive in an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th with a single that scored Elijah Underhill to make it a 7-5 Christian County lead.
Underhill, who pitched a hitless final three innings for Chrsitian County, set the Purples down in the top of the seventh to close out the win.
Carter Sholar had a big night at the plate for Christian County, going 3-3 with three RBIs. Aiden Lewis was 2-3 for the Colonels.
Lewis got the start on the hill for Christian County. Bowling Green got to Lewis for 4 earned runs on 10 hits. Lewis struck out one and walked two.
In his three innings of relief, Elijah Underhill did not give up a hit to Bowling Green while striking out six and walking one.
Christian County (1-0) opens 8th District play Tuesday night at home against Fort Campbell.
