UHA is All ‘A’ champs, toppling Beechwood 4-2

University Heights Academy left fielder Josh Pace saw the ball come off Beechwood’s Tyler Fryman’s bat. He broke at the sound and the ball hooked into the left field corner as Pace on a full sprint reached out and pulled it into his glove.

And then the celebration was on.

Pace’s running catch finalized the Blazers’ first Touchstone Energy All “A” State Baseball Tournament title in school history, a 4-2 victory over No. 14-ranked Beechwood on Sunday afternoon at Daviess County High School.

UHA coach Michael Crow said after the game, the emotions were almost too much to process.

The Blazers, who defeated No. 21-ranked Campbellsville 4-1 in the semifinals behind a one-hit, 13-strikeout performance from ace pitcher Hayden Hunt, jumped on Beechwood star Caleb Arraswmith in the bottom of the first.

Ryan Luckey walked and scored on an RBI-double by Cadence Gibson. Hunt singled and moved Gibson to third and he scored on a double play ball from AJ Hogart for a 2-0 lead.

Pace started the game on the mound for UHA (19-3) and cruised through the first two innings. But the Tigers (19-3) solved the senior right-hander in the third. Gavinn Ollier led off with a single and moved to second on a base hit by Fryman. After a flyout, the Tigers loaded the bases on a walk. Hudson Edwards hit a ball off the top of the center field wall to drive in Ollier and Fryman to tie the game at 2-2.

Arrasmith settled down after the first inning, retiring nine of the next 10 batters he faced. The senior left-hander really had no problems until the bottom of the sixth inning. Aiden Jones reached base on an error and then went to third on a double down the right field line by Jaiden Miles. Jackson Flynn singled to right field to score Jones to give UHA a 3-2 lead. Pace then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt and Miles scored to make it 4-2.

While Arrasmith was settling in, the Blazers brought Luckey in to relieve Pace in the third and he went 3 2/3 innings, holding the potent Beechwood offense to only one hit.

Crow said Luckey easily could have been the Most Valuable Player of the game after making a couple of circus catches in center field and then the strong pitching effort.

Bryson Turner entered in the top of the seventh and got a beautiful defensive play from Miles at third to Jones at first base for the first out. Miles came to his left on a slow roller and made a strong throw to first where Jones was able to scoop up the low throw while keeping his foot on the bag in a bang-bang play.

Crow said the play was typical of the seniors who compete on every play.

After pinch hitter Austin Stephenson grounded out to Hunt, Fryman launched a shot into left field that Pace secured and the celebration was on for the Blazers.

Luckey earned the pitching win, striking out two and walking one while allowing only one hit. Turner earned the save.

Flynn and Hunt each went 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Blazers’ Hunt was named the tournament’s MVP while four others including Cadence Gibson, Courtland Gibson, Jaiden Miles, and Luckey were named to the All-Tournament Team.

A trophy ceremony is planned at Blazer Gym at noon Monday and UHA fans are invited to attend.

After the celebration, Crow said the Blazers are going to get back to work. They entertain No. 4-ranked McCracken County on Tuesday night.