After seeing the KCAA state baseball championship game moved from Shelbyville to Nicholasville Thursday due to wet fields, Heritage Christian Academy brought its own thunder and lightning in winning its first state title in 11 years.
Weston Powell cracked a first-inning three-run home run to back a 12-strikeout performance from J.J. Thompson as the Warriors pounded Assumption 12-0 in a five-inning contest.
Powell’s round-tripper was part of a five-run first inning that set the pace for the game. Grant Floyd followed with a two-run single as part of the statement-making opening frame.
HCA added two more runs in the second inning. Trenton Hayes tripled home J.J. Thompson, one of three runs scored for the freshman. Hayes scored on a Powell single to center. After Powell showed off his wheels with two stolen bases, David Jent put the Warriors up 8-0 with a sacrifice fly.
Powell and Jent both added RBI singles in the fourth inning. For Powell, it capped a 3-hit, 5-RBI day that saw him named tournament MVP. Floyd added two hits and three RBIs.
Meanwhile, Thompson was in full control on the mound. He didn’t allow a hit until an infield single in the fifth inning. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out 12 in five innings. Thompson and Hayes, who pitched a one-hitter in HCA’s semifinal win, joined Powell on the all-tournament team.
Heritage Christian Academy finishes its baseball season with a record of 21-9.
