Hopkinsville’s J.J. Thompson did something Monday that no other team had accomplished all season. He shut out Caldwell County.
The senior left-hander blanked Caldwell on just two base hits, striking out 10 while leading Hoptown into the 2nd Region semifinals with a 9-0 victory.
Hopkinsville (20-9) will host Union County in Tuesday’s first semifinal at 5:30. The Braves (13-23) edged Crittenden County 3-2 on Monday.
Caldwell, which ends its season at 27-7, had few offensive opportunities against Thompson (7-1), who has signed to play collegiately at Wright State.
Meanwhile, Hopkinsville scratched out runs in the second and third innings to grab an early 2-0 lead.
Chase Fort’s sacrifice bunt brought in the first run in the second after Gavin Powell had doubled to start the inning.
Zach Moss, who is headed to Kentucky, singled home a run in the third to make it 2-0.
Hoptown then put the game away late, scoring twice in the sixth inning before putting up a five-spot in the seventh.
Thompson doubled home two runs with two outs to make it 4-0.
Lucas Kaetzel then put the game out of reach with a grand slam to left field in the top of the seventh. Fort had singled in a run earlier in the frame.
Besides his big day on the mound, Thompson was 3-for-5 at the plate with the two runs batted in. Mitchell was 2-for-4 and scored twice. Kaetzel was 1-for-1 with the homer, two walks and four RBIs.
Caldwell got a double from Ari Wells and a single from Drew Stevens.
The loss ended Caldwell’s 11-game winning streak.
Hopkinsville edged back ahead in the all-time series. The teams had been tied entering play Monday. Hoptown now leads 36-35.
