The first two weeks of the baseball season has shown the Second Region is wide open this year. Unlike the past few years where one or two good baseball teams are left home come region tournament time, there is the possibility that several really good teams could be on the outside looking in.
1) Christian County (3-2) – The Colonels have seen every one of their games be decided in the later innings. Their two losses are to No. 2 McCracken County and No. 19 Franklin-Simpson. They are battling some health issues with CF Dorian Lones out for 3-4 weeks with a broken hand. The Colonels are sticking close to home for Spring Break with games next week against Caldwell County and Logan County.
2) Union County (6-1) – The Braves have looked solid early with three of their six wins coming by shutout. The lone loss came to Calloway County. The Braves will be one of several Second Region teams playing in the Warren County Invitational over Spring Break.
3) Hopkinsville (4-1) – The Tigers are the most improved team in the region thanks to the return of eight starters and their pitching staff. They played No. 1 Christian County to extra innings Thursday and outscored their first four opponents 46-15. After a Friday return contest with Christian County, the Tigers head for the Emerald Coast for Spring Break games in Florida.
4) Henderson County (3-4) – It’s hard to get a read on Henderson County’s early results because of the Indiana schools they play. The loss to Owensboro is a question, but a split with Madisonville doesn’t look bad. The Colonels will see some solid competition at Tates Creek next week.
5) Madisonville (4-3) – The Maroons swept Caldwell County this week and split with Henderson County. The loss to University Heights is the stand-out loss but may say more about the improvement of the Blazers. After a couple of weekend games scheduled with defending region champions Muhlenberg County (3rd Region) and Bowling Green (4th Region), the Maroons head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the Cal Ripken Experience and games against Kentucky schools.
6) University Heights (2-3) – The Blazers showed they can be a player in the Eighth District with a close loss to No. 1 Christian County and a 5-4 win over No. 5 Madisonville. UHA heads to Orlando where they will be busy over Spring Break at the Disney Baseball Spring Training.
7) Lyon County (4-2) – The Lyons have handed Marshall County their only loss of the season and played state-ranked No. 2 McCracken County close Thursday before falling 10-5. Lyon County will see some good competition next week as they head to Kingsport, Tennessee for a 16-team tournament.
