Tyler Dixon | Owensboro Times
Despite a rain delay that put their game back eight hours, the Owensboro Catholic Aces did short work in Crittenden County on Saturday as they beat the Rockets 15-1 in five innings to beat St. Henry to today’s All “A” Classic semi-finals to reach.
Aces coach Derek Hibbs said his team had been offensive in a series.
“The bats stayed hot,” he said. “Up and down the lineup, we keep swinging it.”
Catholic junior Hayden Ward started on the hill and didn’t find out until Friday night that he got the nod. He said he didn’t try to overthink things during the long delay.
“They always say don’t be the weather man,” he said. “All day long you just have to keep a positive attitude and not let it influence you.”
Aside from one run in the first, Ward mowed down the rocket hitters as he walked all five innings and had 8 strikeouts while allowing only 3 hits.
He said he was ready for the challenge because he knew his teammates had his back.
“I knew I had a great defense behind me,” he said. “Just hit the zone and let the offense do the work.”
In the top half of the first run, the Aces started with five runs on the right foot to give Ward a pillow before he even stepped on the hill.
Ward said when the crime starts rolling his job will be a lot easier.
“It helps a lot,” he said. “Just to be able to know that your offense will have your back.”
Katholik added three runs in the third and seven runs in the fourth to move the game into five frames.
Sam McFarland (2-4, 3 RBIs, R), Luke Scales (2-4, 3 RBIs, R), Finley Munsey (2-3, RBI, 2 R) and Hunter Small (2-2, 4 RBIs, 2nd ) R) All had multiple hits for the aces.
Luke Evans, Braden Mundy, E Munsey and J Wall each scored two hits.
Catholic moves forward to play St. Henry in tomorrow’s semi-finals at 12:30 p.m.
Hibbs said he was impressed with St. Henry’s victory over Holy Cross on Saturday, knowing they came from a difficult region.
“They pissed off Beechwood in their region, the Beechwood, they won half of those things, so they’re always a power,” he said. “If they can beat them and keep rolling we are sure to have a tough game.”
