The University Heights Academy baseball team overcame five errors to roll over the visiting Hopkins County Central Storm 7-1 on Monday night. The win is the Blazers’ second-straight and evens their record at 3-3 on the year. Ironically, the Storm (0-2) have been a victim of the weather, only playing their second game of the season.
Junior Drew McGowan struck out the side in the first inning, and then tripled to score sophomore Tanner Thomas. Junior Dan Johnson brought in McGowan with a sacrifice fly, and the Blazers led 2-0 after the first inning.
McGowan mowed down the Storm again in the second inning, and the Blazers put up 4 runs to take control. Sophomore Scribby Goode scored on an error on a pick-off attempt, followed by a second Storm error to allow Thomas to reach and 8th grader Mason Price to add the 4th run. 8th Grader Dustin Moon singled to score Thomas, and the third error of the inning allowed Moon to go home on a misplayed McGowan fly ball.
The 6-0 score held until the sixth inning when both teams put up a run, with Thomas doubling in senior Malik Lovan for the final 7-1 score.
McGowan struck out six of the seven batters he faced, allowing one walk, to earn the win for the Blazers, also collecting a hit, an RBI, and scoring a run. Lovan had two hits and scored a run, with Thomas, Moon and Johnson all getting a hit and knocking in a run. Freshman Luke Welch went 3.0 innings in relief of McGowan, striking out three and only giving up two hits.
Junior Jacob Morphew took the loss for Hopkins Central, going 4.0 innings and allowing 6 runs, 1 earned, on three hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
UHA will continue 2nd Region All “A” Classic play on Tuesday, squaring-off with the 0-2 Dawson Springs Panthers.