The University Heights Academy Blazers will get the chance to play for their second straight 8th District baseball championship. The Blazers advanced to the 2025 title game with an 8-1 win over Hopkinsville Monday evening on the Blazers’ home field.
The title game appearance will mark the third straight year that the Blazers have been in the 8th District championship game.
The Blazers decided this one early Monday evening. UHA scored once in the bottom of the first and then added five more runs in the bottom of the second to take an early 6-0 lead.
The big blow in the first two innings was Cadence Gibson’s three run shot to left in the bottom of the second that made it a 6-0 ball game.
UHA added two insurance runs in the bottom of the 5th to run the lead out to 8-0.
Hopkinsville’s best chances at pulling one out of the hat came in the top half of the fourth inning and in the top of the sixth. In the fourth, Hopkinsville loaded the bases with one out, but Jaiden Miles came up with a big strikeout against Layton Lindsey to end the threat.
In the sixth, the Tigers scored a run and had runners on first and second with nobody out. But there would be no big rally. Jayden Kellum grounded into a double play and then UHA pitcher Cadence Gibson got a big strikeout to end the inning without further damage.
Cortland Gibson was 2-4 with a run scored to lead the Blazers. His brother Cadence was 1-3 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Hayden Hunt finished 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
UHA outhit the Tigers 7 to 6 for the game.
For Hopkinsville, Gavin Powell ended up 3-4 with a double and a run scored. Gavin Mitchell was 1-3 with an RBI.
Jaiden Miles started on the mound for the Blazers and picked up the win. He went five innings, giving up one run and five hits, striking out 8 and walking one.
The Blazers improve to 17-10 and move on to the 8th District championship game against Christian County, which is set for Tuesday evening.
Hopkinsville’s season ends at 12-15.
