Owensboro Catholic closed out the Fort Walton Beach Bash strong, grabbing wins over Deerfield-Windsor and DuPont Manual.
The Aces opened up the first game of the day against Deerfield-Windsor, taking an early lead in the first. It was a leadoff triple from senior Luke Evans that helped give them their first run, as he scored on a groundout from senior Everett Munsey the following at-bat.
Owensboro Catholic grabbed one more run in the second, getting an RBI single from freshman Parker Heistand. Munsey took the two runs behind him on the mound and dealt well, tossing five scoreless innings to help them take a 4-0 lead going into the sixth.
The Aces got two more runs in the top of the sixth, but Deerfield-Windsor showed signs of life with two runs themselves in the bottom of the inning. That marked the end of Munsey’s day on the mound, allowing two runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out eight.
However, Munsey still got the win as Owensboro Catholic chipped in eight more runs in the top of the seventh, including a three-run homer from senior John Frey. Up 14-2 Evans closed out the game with ease, allowing no runs and no hits while striking out two to secure the win.
Frey led the way at the plate with three RBIs, while Munsey had a pair and Evans, Heistand, senior Sam McFarland, senior Braden Mundy and senior J Crabtree all had an RBI each.
The Aces offensive prowess didn’t carry over into game two, but they were able to hang on for a walk-off 3-2 win in eight innings against DuPont Manual to finish 2-0 on the day.
The two teams were in a pitchers duel all throughout, with five scoreless innings to start play. But it was the Crimsons who came through first, grabbing a run in the top of the sixth thanks to an RBI single from sophomore Bennett Holdener.
That would be the lone run that senior Alex Castlen allowed in his start, giving up six hits and a walk, while striking out 10 in six innings.
Owensboro Catholic had failed to get a run through six, but with its backs against the wall they finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. It was Frey who did the trick with a solo shot to right—his second home run of the day—knotting the game up at 1-1 to send it to extra innings.
DuPont Manual was able to reclaim the lead at 2-1 in the top of the eighth thanks to a passed ball, but the Aces weren’t done yet. McFarland opened up the bottom half of the inning with a double, followed by a Crimsons error.
This led to an RBI single from freshman Brady Atwell, tying the game up at 2-2. An intentional walk then loaded the bases with no outs for J Crabtree.
All it took was on pitch for the senior, as he sent a liner to center to close out the tournament with an impressive 3-2 win.
Junior Wyatt Jenkins got the win in relief, giving up one run on one hit, while striking out three in two innings. Atwell, Crabtree and Frey led the way at the plate, all recording an RBI each.
Going 5-1 during the week, Owensboro Catholic moves to 12-2 overall going into the 3rd Region All-A Classic. The Aces first game will be against McLean County on Monday.
