Hopkinsville is one win away from its second regional championship in six years and its third in the last 10 years.
The Tigers reached the 2024 title tilt on Tuesday with an 8-2 triumph over Union County at Tiger Field.
Next up for Hopkinsville (21-9) is University Heights Academy (25-11) in a rematch of last week’s 8th District final. The Blazers outlasted Henderson County 11-10 in 10 innings in Tuesday’s late game.
UHA, which has never won a 2nd Region baseball championship, beat Hoptown 7-4 for the district championship.
J.J. Thompson and Lucas Kaetzel each homered to help Hopkinsville turn back a game Union County (13-24) squad.
The Braves scratched out a run on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth to go up 2-1 as the 6th District champions look to spring the upset.
But Hoptown played some small ball to get the lead in the bottom of the frame.
A sacrifice bunt by Andrew Mayes brought in Chase Fort, who had opened the frame with a walk. A double by Kaetzle put runners at second and third with nobody out.
After Mayes’ bunt tied the game, a balk brought in another run to put the Tigers up 3-2.
Hoptown then put together a five-run sixth inning to basically put the game away.
Kaetzel slammed a three-run shot to left field to make it a 6-2 ballgame.
Zach Moss later doubled home two more runs to extend the margin to 8-2.
Kaetzel finished the day 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Layton Lindsey went 2-for-3 and scored a run.
Thompson was 1-for-2 with a first inning homer. He scored twice.
Gavin Mitchell and Kaetzel combined to allow just one hit to the Braves.
Mitchell was the winner, going the first five innings. He struck out four, walked four and allowed two earned runs.
Kaetzel tossed the last two innings and earned a save. He struck out two, walked none and allowed just one base hit.
After Hopkinsville went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Union tied the game with a run in the second before taking its only lead in the fifth.
Wednesday’s championship game is set for 7 p.m. at Tiger Field.
