The University Heights Academy baseball team went on the road Thursday night and produced a 9-1 win over the Murray High Tigers. The Blazers snap a four-game losing streak to move to 8-13 on the year, while the Tigers lose their fourth straight to drop to 7-16.
The Blazers took the lead in the opening frame on an RBI double by Dan Johnson followed by a single from Tanner Thomas to bring Johnson home. They kept the pressure on in the second with 2 more runs, highlighted by a solo home run by Zach Naylor.
Up 4-1 in the fourth, the Blazers used an RBI double by Drew McGowan and a run-scoring ground-out by Eston Glover to stretch the lead to 6. Dustin Moon bunted his way on and scored Malik Lovan in the top of the sixth, followed by another RBI from McGowan for the final 9-1 score.
Luke Welch went 4.2 strong innings for the win, yielding a single run on three hits with four strikeouts and four walks. McGowan pitched 2.1 innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking-out six of the eight batters he faced.
McGowan led the way at the plate for the Blazers, collecting three hits and driving-in 3. Lovan, Naylor, and Thomas each had two hits, with Naylor, Thomas, Moon, Johnson and Glover each driving-in a run.
Bradley Dawson took the loss for the Tigers, lasting 3.0 innings while surrendering 6 runs, 5 earned, on six hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Hunter Utley was 2-4 with an RBI.
On Friday, the Blazers will play their eighth consecutive away game, squaring off with the 13-13 Owensboro Catholic Aces.
