Last season, the Christian County Colonels were the ‘surprise’ team of the 2nd Region. They opened the season with a 12-game winning streak and never looked back on their way to the 8th District and 2nd Region championships. While the Colonels will contend again for both titles in 2023, they will not sneak up on anyone this year and will get everyone’s best shot as the returning ‘kings of the hill.’
The Colonels were the great story of 2022, winning the opening 12, ripping off 9 in a row in the middle of the season, and then heading into the state tournament by winning six straight. More impressive is that they did it with so much ‘young’ talent on the roster.
The good news for Christian County in 2023 is almost all of that talent is back. The Colonels had nine players see action in at least 30 games last season, eight of those will be involved extensively this season.
The biggest pair of shoes to fill will be those of Josh Snorton. Snorton was the team’s second-leading hitter in 2022 with an average of .373. He also had four home runs and 38 RBIs. Snorton was also the emotional leader for Christian County.
As for who is back, you start with Elijah Underhill. At the plate, he hit .377 with 9 home runs, 31 RBIs, 12 doubles, and 3 triples. He tore it up on the basepaths with 35 stolen bases in 37 attempts. On the mound, he was, at times, unhittable. He was 6-2 with one save, striking out 139 and walking only 33. His ERA was 2.54.
But the Colonels are far from a one-man show at the plate. Brylle Javier, Carter Sholar, Preston Phan, Jacob Jenkins, and Hayden Hunt, all had at least 20 hits last season. Bobby Irving and Gage Montes just missed that club with 19 hits each.
And, while Underhill and Javier are seniors, what should concern coaches and pitchers around the region is that the Colonels are still a fairly young team. Hunt and Montes are freshmen. Irving, Phan, Jenkins, and Sholar are juniors.
The Colonels’ are also not a one-man show on the mound. Sophomore Aiden Lewis figures to be the #2 starter for Christian County. Lewis picked up eight wins and a save in 2022. His ERA was stellar at 1.90. Freshman Gage Montes saw a good bit of work as an 8th grader. Montes was 4-1 with an ERA of just 1.21, striking out 25 and walking just five in 29 innings of work.
Look for Hayden Hunt, Carter Sholar, and Preston Phan to also see time on the mound. Freshman Sebastian Dazey is already showing his potential to be a big factor in the rotation.
Ultimately, the record may not be what it was last year when the Colonels essentially blind-sided everyone at the start of the season, but don’t be surprised if Christian County is back playing for the regional championship again in 2023.
