University Heights Academy is the Region 2 All “A” Baseball Tournament champions for the fifth time in school history after defeating Caldwell County 4-1 Thursday night at VFW Ballpark in Princeton.
The seventh-ranked Blazers (12-2) rode the pitching of Jackson Flynn and Bryson Turner to earn their first All “A” region championship since 2016. Flynn picked up the win, going 5 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts before leaving with an injury. Turner pitched 1 2/3 innings and earned the save.
UHA Head Baseball Coach Michael Crowe said he was proud of the way Flynn and Turner pitched in a must-win game.
Crow said the All “A” region title is just one of several goals for this year’s team.
The Blazers got on the board in the second after being retired in order by Caldwell starter Channing Puckett in the first. Flynn singled up the middle and moved to second on a wild pitch. Courtland Gibson slapped a single into left field and Flynn came around to score.
UHA made it 2-0 in the third inning. Cadence Gibson reached first base on a dropped third strike. An errant pick-off attempt allowed him to advance to second base. With two out, Courtland Gibson singled to left field and Gibson scored.
Flynn was in total control for the Blazers, retiring five straight Tigers on strikeouts before walking Mitchell Phelps in the bottom of the third. Phelps was erased on a double play to Cadence Gibson to end the frame.
Hayden Hunt singled to lead off the fifth inning and stole second base on the first pitch. AJ Hogart delivered a single to left and Hunt beat the throw to the plate for a 3-0 UHA lead.
Flynn ran into trouble in the bottom of the sixth as he walked Phelps was advanced to second on a balk. With one out, Derek Wilson walked and the Blazers intentionally walked Caldwell star Ari Wells to load the bases.
Flynn was injured while covering the plate on a wild pitch. Phelps scored on the play and Wilson and Wells moved up a base. Turner entered the game and got a strike out before walking Puckett to load the bases. However, Turner got Brody Kirk to hit into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.
Caldwell County (10-3) brought in their ace, Wells, to face the Blazers in the top of the seventh. Hunt led off with a perfectly placed bunt on the third base line to reach base. He stole second base and the catcher’s throw bounced off Hunt and into the outfield allowing the Blazers’ speedster to take third base.
Hogart’s sacrifice fly gave UHA a 4-1 advantage.
Crowe said Hunt’s ability to get on and provide an insurance run in that situation is why he is a special player.
Turner got the first two batters out to start the seventh before Phelps singled into right field to give the Tigers’ hope. However, Turner induced a ground ball to Hunt and the UHA shortstop flipped to Cadence Gibson for the out at second base to end the game.
Hunt, Hogart, and Courtland Gibson all had two hits for UHA. Gibson and Hogart each drove in a pair of runs.
The Blazers advance to play host to the Region 1 winner in the first round of the All “A” State Tournament. That game has not been set. The winner of the sectional game moves on to Owensboro for the quarterfinals on April 25.
Score by Innings:
University Heights 011 010 1 – 4 7 0
Caldwell County 000 001 0 – 1 3 2
WP – J. Flynn (5 1/3 IP, 9 SO, 5 BB).
LP – Puckett
S – Turner (1 2/3 IP, 2 SO, 1 BB).
Leading Hitters: UHA – Hunt (2 1B), Hogart (2 1B), Flynn (1B), Co. Gibson (2 1B).
Photo by Greg Perry