The pain of coming up just short of a Region 2 championship still reverberates around the University Heights Academy baseball team, which has its sights set on a region crown in 2026.
The Blazers return eight seniors and most of their starting lineup from last year’s team, which finished 20-11 last season.
Leading the way for UHA will be seniors Hayden Hunt, Jaiden Miles, Cadence Gibson and Ryan Luckey. Hunt has signed to play at Indiana State and Miles recently signed with Tennessee Wesleyan.
Michael Crowe, who is in his first year as the Blazers’ coach said his team is using last year’s region tournament loss as motivation for 2026.
This year’s Blazers’ team is loaded with talent. In addition to Hunt, Miles, Cadence Gibson, and Luckey, UHA returns starters Courtland Gibson (Jr., Catcher), Jackson Flynn (Sr., Outfield), and Aiden Jones (Jr., Infield). Seniors Josh Pace and Bryson Turner also started at times last season. Sophomore AJ Hogart, who missed most of last year after transferring from Madisonville-North Hopkins, also will bring a big bat and a steady glove to the team.
Hunt hit .405 with three home runs and 20 RBI and also went 3-3 on the mound with a 1.82 ERA. Miles went 4-2 on the hill with a 2.21 ERA.
The arms don’t stop with Hunt and Miles, as Crowe said he also confidence in senior Thomas Hallmark, Bryson Turner, Cadence Gibson, Josh Pace, along with Jackson Flynn and sophomore Matthew Flynn.
Junior catcher Courtland Gibson will see the majority of time behind the plate for the Blazers.
Crowe said his team also is versatile with most players able to play multiple positions.
Newcomers who could help UHA this season include sophomore Ty Grace, who transferred from Christian County, sophomore Timothy Hallmark, freshman Chase Cook, freshman Jackson Crick, and eighth graders Gentry Hale and Brody Mitchell.
Crowe said ultimately, the season will depend on the talented senior class, which he called a, “special group.”
UHA was schduled to open its season today at home against Franklin-Simpson, but the game was postponed due to cold weather. The Blazers will travel to Union County on Tuesday night.
2026 UHA Blazers
Coach: Michael Crowe (1st Year)
2025 Record: 20-11
Key returning players: Hayden Hunt (P/SS), Ryan Luckey (OF), Josh Pace (1B/OF/P), Thomas Hallmark (P/1B), Bryson Turner (3B/P/OF), Cadence Gibson (P/2B), Jackson Flynn (OF/P), Jaiden Miles (3B/P/1B), Aiden Jones (3B/1B), Courtland Gibson (C).
Key losses: Eli Finch (1B)
Key newcomers: AJ Hogart (1B/P/OF), Matthew Flynn (P/OF), Ty Grace (OF), Timothy Hallmark (P), Chase Cook (OF), Gentry Hale (OF/INF), Brody Mitchell (OF/INF).
Outlook: “These guys know how to win and losing is not an option,” UHA coach Michael Crowe said. “They’re super competitive and they know they’re here to get the job done and get out of region and get to Lexington. They are looking forward to the challenge.”
Projected Lineup: P – Miles; C – Co. Gibson; 1B – Jones, Th. Hallmark, or Pace; 2B – Ca. Gibson, Turner, Miles, Hale, or Mitchell; 3B – Th. Hallmark, Miles, Hogart, Crick; LF – Jackson Flynn, Hogart, Pace; CF – Luckey, Hunt; RF – Hogart, Cook, Hale, Grace.
File Photos
Photo by Joe Wilson