A pitchers’ duel between Owensboro’s Isaac Humphrey and Breckinridge County’s Brock Lucas ultimately ended in favor of the Fighting Tigers, who used a 3-1 victory to get past the Red Devils in Tuesday’s 3rd Region baseball tournament semifinal at Shifley Park.
While it wasn’t the outcome Owensboro head coach Logan Johnson had hoped for, he was pleased with his team’s efforts on the night.
“Things just didn’t fall our way,” Johnson said. “These guys have nothing to be ashamed of. They’ve accomplished so much this year. It’s all a credit to these kids and their hard work and how much time, energy and effort they put into it.”
Humphrey had a stellar performance for the Red Devils (25-10), allowing just three runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out nine in seven innings of work.
“He was great,” Johnson said. “It was typical — he battled, hit his spots and used both sides of the plate.”
Lucas was equally as effective on the mound for Breckinridge County (26-5), allowing one run on eight hits and striking out 10 in a complete game. Brock aided his cause by going 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a single.
Fighting Tigers head coach Jeremy Bennett spoke highly of Owensboro and was delighted to have Lucas, who is committed to the University of Tennessee, back on the mound following a season full of nagging injuries.
“We knew it would be a low scoring game, “ Bennett said. “We know how good Humphries is. Brock is special for us. When the lights are the brightest, he usually plays his best.”
Lucas put the Tigers on the board first with a bomb deep left field in the top of the third inning. Jacob Ball singled to left field and Kaeveon Mitchell walked before Kobe Poole drove them both in on a base hit to right field, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
Owensboro loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the fourth but only managed to generate one run. Tucker Hagan led off with a single, Nick Belcher was hit by a pitch and Collier Higgs walked before Brennon Williams drove in the lone run of the night on a single to shallow right field.
Owensboro’s Brennon Williams was 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Hagan and Belcher each had added two hits.
The Tigers extend their win streak to 13 heading into Wednesday’s championship game at 7 p.m. against Owensboro Catholic, who edged past Muhlenberg County 7-6.
Johnson considered the season to be a success for Owensboro, speaking highly of his seniors while hoping the loss will motivate his underclassmen.
“I think tonight made our underclassmen hungry, and ready to go to work for next year,” Johnson said. “I’m proud of all of these guys. This senior class has seen three consecutive really strong years and now it’s come to an end we hate to see them go, but we wish them all the best and all the success that they deserve.”
BCHS 003-000-0—3-4-0
OHS 000-100-0—1-8-1
WP: Lucas. LP: Humphrey. 2B: Williams (O). HR: Lucas (BC).
