Aiden Jones went 3-for-4 with two RBI and led visiting University Heights Academy to a 4-1 District 8 baseball win over Hopkinsville Tuesday night.
Eli Finch had a pair of hits and Hayden Hunt had a RBI triple for the Blazers, who improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in district play.
UHA took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third as Jones reached on a two-out double and then moved to third on an errant pick-off attempt. Jaiden Miles then singled to left field to drive Jones.
The Blazers pushed the lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning when Hunt walked, stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jones’ single into left field scored Hunt.
Hopkinsville cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the sixth as Layton Lindsey drew a leadoff walk and stole second base. Josh Embry singled and moved Lindsey to third. Andrew Mayes’s suicide squeeze scored Lindsey. Griffen Meacham and Jayden Kellum then loaded the bases with a pair of singles.
However, UHA centerfielder Ryan Luckey made a diving catch on a sinking liner off the bat of Dylan Sweeney to save at least one run. Then Chase Fort hit into a fielder’s choice and the Tigers’ scoring threat was squashed.
The Blazers secured the win with two more runs in the top of the seventh as Caden Gibson was hit by a pitch and Hunt tripled to score Gibson to make 3-1. Hunt then touched home plate on a single by Jones for a 4-1 lead.
After a leadoff walk to Gavin Powell, the Tigers went down quietly to finish the game.
Miles picked up the pitching win, going 4 1/3 innings, striking out 10 and allowing only two hits. Bryce Turner earned the save.
For Hopkinsville, Embry and Meacham had a pair of hits. Mayes suffered the pitching loss, striking out six batters over six innings.
The Tigers slipped to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in district play.
UHA returns to action Saturday at Greenwood while Hopkinsville takes on Daviess County Monday in Florida.
Score by Innings:
University Heights 001 010 2 – 4 8 0
Hopkinsville 000 001 0 – 1 6 2
WP – Miles (4 1/3 IP, 10 SO, 4 BB)
LP – Mayes (6 IP, 6 SO, 1 BB).
Leading Hitters: UHA – Luckey (1B), Hunt (3B), Jones (2B, 2 1B, 2 RBI), Miles (1B), Finch (2 1B), Flynn (1B); HHS – Fort (1B), Embry (2 1B), Meacham (2 1B), Kellum (1B).
File Photo
