The University Heights Academy Blazers continue to position themselves as one of the favorites in the 2nd Region this season. The Blazers got a stellar effort from starting pitcher Jaiden Miles Tuesday night as the Blazers traveled across town and came away with a big 4-1 8th District win over the Hopkinsville Tigers.
Miles gave the Blazers (4-1) four and one-third innings, giving up no runs on just two hits. He struck out 10 and walked four. Bryson Turned gave a big effort over the final two innings to get the save. He gave up no runs on two hits, struck out one and walked one.
The game was scoreless until the top of the third when Aiden Jones doubled and then scored on a single from Jaiden Miles that gave the Blazers a 1-0 lead.
The lead grew to 2-0 in the top of the fifth when Jones singled to score Hayden Hunt.
Hopkinsville (2-2) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the 6th when Andrew Mayes sacrificed and drove in Layton Lindsey, who had led off the inning with a walk.
UHA picked up a couple of insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Cadence Gibson was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. He scored on a triple from Hayden Hunt to make it 3-1. Hunt then scored on a single from Aiden Jones to add one more run to the Blazer tally.
After giving up a walk to open the bottom of the seventh, Bryson Turner set down the next three Tigers to seal the win.
Aiden Jones was huge at the plate for University Heights, ending his night 3-4 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored. Eli Finch was 2-3 on the night for UHA, who outhit the Tigers 9 to 6.
Joshua Embrey II and Griffen Meacham each had two hits to lead Hopkinsville at the plate.
Andrew Mayes, who started the game on the mound for Hopkinsville, was charged with the loss. He went six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking one.
Photos – Cindy Dougherty
