Celebrating Senior Night and looking to put the brakes on a 9-game losing run, UHA got big games from seniors Luke Welch and Seth Hancock to top visiting Webster County 9-4 on Friday night.
The Blazers pick up their first win since knocking off Lyon County in the All-A Region tourney back on April 12, improving to 6-14 overall and handing Webster County its first loss in five outings.
UHA broke through in its half of the 1st when Hancock came home on a wild pitch after leading off the inning with a single. With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the 4th, Ben Stone, Welch, and Ian Tyler each singled to load the bases. Nic Luckey drew a 2-out walk to push a run across before Hancock drove in 2 more with a single for a 4-1 advantage.
The Trojans answered with 3 runs in the top of the 5th, including an RBI single by Landon Black, to tie the game at 4-4. Black started on the mound and pitched into the 6th, but his day came to an end after Ty Hunt singled to score 2 and push the Blazers back in front. Black yielded 7 runs, only 3 earned, on 10 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.
Welch and sophomore Matthew Leeper, making his first appearance of the season after a return from injury, both added 2-out RBI singles to give the Blazers a 9-4 lead after 6 innings.
Welch earned the win on the mound, getting all but one out while allowing 4 unearned runs on 5 hits. He struck out 10 and issued 5 walks. Hancock came on with 2 outs in the 7th and got a fly-out to end the game.
Welch and Hancock each had 3 hits and combined to drive in 3 runs. Hunt and Leeper both had a hit and 2 RBI.
The Blazers are back on their home field on Saturday when they host Hopkins County Central.
