YSE File Photo
Coming off a season that was ended during an 11-inning heartbreaker in the 2nd Region Championship, and chock full of high expectations, the Christian County High School baseball team set the 2024 tone in a big way with a 15-0 district victory Monday in its first-ever matchup with crosstown foe Heritage Christian Academy.
Bobby Irving, Blake Boehman, and Aiden Lewis all had run-scoring doubles during an explosive third inning, as the host Colonels scored eight times to end the game via mercy rule. Irving, who signed with Shawnee Community College last month, matched Boehmann with a team-high three RBIs. The middle of the CCHS order — Irving, Boehman, Eddie Davis, and Preston Phan — combined to go 4-for-9 with three walks, nine RBIs, and three runs scored.
Senior Broden Kellum (1-0) was one of three hurlers to register an inning on the bump. He, Sebastian Dazey, and Davis all had identical performances, including a pair of strikeouts each. During the combined, three-inning perfect game, the trio combined to throw 25 strikes on 39 pitches.
The Warriors, who are playing their first baseball season as a member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, will continue to find their way. On Monday, however, HCA committed three errors and had no batters reach base. Sophomore Henry Bullard (0-1) allowed just one hit but took the loss after surrendering seven runs (five earned) and three free passes in 1 1/3 innings. He did strike out a pair before being replaced by eighth-grader Aaron Hensley, who allowed eight runs on eight Christian County hits.
CCHS went up 2-0 in the first inning after a Phan RBI groundout and Irving’s fly ball leading to a run-scoring Heritage error. In the second inning, after three consecutive Colonels were hit by a pitch, Phan and Irving both drew bases-loaded walks to put the Cols up 6-0. An RBI double by Davis made it 7-0 after a pair of innings played.
The Colonels (1-0) play for a second straight day March 12 against visiting Fort Campbell High School. The Falcons fell 10-0 to Todd County Central on Opening Day. Meanwhile, HCA (0-1) plays the second of four straight away games Tuesday with a trip to Webster County. The Warriors play their home opener March 18 during an 8th District rematch against Christian County.
