An 8-run first inning fueled Henderson County’s 13-10 victory over Madisonville-North Hopkins in the first round of the 2nd Region baseball tournament at Christian County on Monday. Due to weather delays earlier in the day, Henderson didn’t book its spot in the semifinals until after midnight. The Colonels improve to 21-10 overall and will face Christian County on Tuesday, while the Maroons end their season at 17-17.
Henderson banged-out five first-inning singles, along with two walks and a couple of Maroon errors to jump out to an 8-0 lead. Madisonville got on the board with 2 runs in its half of the third, before cutting to lead to 1 in the fourth with 5 more. The Colonels reasserted control with 5 runs in the fifth for a 13-7 score. The Maroons responded with 2 in the sixth, but couldn’t get any closer, falling 13-10.
Brice Shofner worked 3.2 innings for the win, allowing 5 runs, 3 earned, on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Bryce Willett was 3-5 with 4 RBI to lead the Colonels, followed by Dylan Sutton with a hit and 3 driven-in.
Alex Gray recovered after a rocky first inning, lasting 5.0 innings while allowing 13 runs, 8 earned, on twelve hits, taking the loss for the Maroons. Gray also had two hits and an RBI and Jonathon Hogart was 3-5 with an RBI.