YSE File Photo
Behind a flurry of offense in the final two innings, Christian County High School pulled away from Madisonville-North Hopkins late in Tuesday’s regional baseball tilt and snapped a three-game slide by downing the host Maroons 13-3.
The Colonels used some small ball in the top of the fifth inning, tying the game on an Edward Davis sacrifice bunt that led to a Madisonville error and then taking a 3-2 lead on a two-out passed ball that allowed senior Elijah Underhill to race home for the go-ahead run.
Christian County, which was seeking just its second win in its last eight games, proceeded to take out some frustration in the top of the sixth inning, scoring seven runs to take complete control. Brylle Javier got things started with an RBI single that put the Cols up 4-2. Blake Boehman and Bobby Irving drew back-to-back RBI walks to make it 6-2, Underhill’s RBI single dropped in for a 7-2 lead, and a passed ball and walk during Gage Montes at-bat suddenly put the Maroons in a 9-2 hole.
Carter Sholar, who matched Underhill with a 2-for-4, two-RBI performance at the plate, drove in the 10th run with an RBI single to center to round out the sixth-inning explosion. For good measure, Underhill (RBI single), Sholar (sacrifice fly) and Aiden Lewis (RBI groundout) provided some insurance runs in the seventh.
The Maroons, who have now lost for their first nine games to start the 2023 campaign, overcame an early 1-0 deficit and went ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Aaron Hogart took home on a double steal. MNHHS would only scratch out one more run the rest of the way, however, as Hogart’s RBI single in the final inning made it 13-3.
Preston Phan (2-0) remained unbeaten on the mound this season with the pitching victory. He did walk four, but gave up just two hits and two runs (none earned) and struck out a trio in four innings. Davis struck out five in three innings of long relief and allowed the one run late in the contest.
Madisonville’s Eric Farmer (0-3) was saddled with the loss. He allowed four walks, two hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Each of the next three relief pitchers allowed at least three runs apiece in just 1 2/3 combined innings.
Boehman (1-for-2, two runs, walk), Javier (1-for-3, two runs, RBI, walk, stolen base) and Phan (0-for-1, run, two walks, stolen base) played key roles. In addition to his aforementioned RBI walk, Irving was also solid behind the plate, throwing out two attempted steals and throwing behind a runner at first for a key pick-off early in the game.
Christian County (4-6), which is in the midst of playing 10 straight games on the road, will travel to Bowling Green tomorrow for a matchup against Greenwood. The Colonels then get a day off before a Friday rematch at University Heights Academy. The Blazers (6-1) defeated CCHS 10-5 this past Sunday.
