There are eight teams remaining in the Touchstone Energy All “A” Classic State Baseball Tournament and the University Heights Academy Blazers are one of them.
The Blazers slugged their way past visiting Paducah St. Mary 14-1 in five innings on Tuesday night and cemented their spot in the quarterfinal round of the tournament. Seventh-ranked UHA (16-3) will play 10th-ranked Owensboro Catholic at 3 p.m. Saturday in the All “A” quarterfinals at Daviess County High School.
The Vikings (12-2) scored first on Tuesday as Andrew Puckett doubled down the right field line, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error.
UHA tied th game in the second inning as Courtland Gibson singled and stole two bases. He came around to score on a fielder’s choice by Jaiden Miles.
The Blazers pushed their lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the third. Hunt singled and stole two bases and AJ Hogart also singled and stole a base. Courtland Gibson drove in a run with a single and another run scored on a throwing error.
With Hunt cruising on the mound, the Blazers’ offense then sent 17 batters to the plte in the bottom of the fourth inning and chased the Vikings’ ace pitcher Ashton Spurr.
Spurr left after Hogart’s moon shot grand slam over the center field wall. Hogart’s blast was part of a 11-run inning that also included a two-run double by Hunt.
Every Blazer batter in the lineup scored at least once in the fourth inning.
Hunt departed after four innings with nine strikeouts. The senior only allowed two hits.
Ryan Luckey came in and retired the Vikings in order in the seventh.
Courtland Gibson went 3-for-3 and Cadence Gibson had a pair of hits for UHA.
Saturday’s game will air at 2:45 p.m. on 95.3 The Farm and 953thefarm.com.
Score by Innings:
Paducah St. Mary 100 00 – 1 2 2
University Heights 012 (11) x – 14 11 1
WP – Hunt (4 IP, 9 SO, 3 BB).
LP – Spurr
Leading Hitters: UHA – Ca. Gibson (2 1B), Hunt (2B, 1B), Hogart (HR, 1B, 4 RBI), Co. Gibson (3 1B), Miles (1B), Josh Pace (1B).
Photos by Peyton Biaquis