Before Ross Milburn even took the mound for Apollo baseball in the 3rd Region Championship, he was handed a 3-0 lead. Pitching with extra confidence, the junior slammed the door on Meade County, holding them to one run and striking out six over seven innings, as the Eagles held on 3-1 to win the 3rd Region Championship for the first time since 2023.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Apollo Head Coach Heath Hicks said. “All of the hard work that they have put in since last fall, working together towards the singular goal of winning the region and getting the opportunity to compete for a state title. I just couldn’t be happier for these guys.”
Leading off the game, Milburn reached base via a fielding error and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was thrown out at third on a fielder’s choice. With runners on first and second, Jackson Carder broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single to left. Ryleigh Logan scurried home on a passed ball, and Jagger Pate followed that up with an RBI single to score Carder.
Meade County scored its lone run in the third on a fielding error, but Milburn retired Gavin Brown to strand two runners.
Logan finished 2-3, Pate and Carder both drove in runs, and Braxton Gilbert scored. About an hour after the Eagles celebrated their 3rd Region title, Apollo’s softball team also won their championship game.
“It’s a great night to be an Eagle,” Hicks said. “I’m so happy for Coach Julian and the softball team. They’ve had a wonderful season, and for us to both win the Regional Championship in the same night, it’s just a special moment for Apollo High School.”
