Hornets baseball rallies to win on spring break trip

A 10-run fourth inning propelled Hancock County to a 20-10 win over Louisville Holy Cross during a varsity baseball game at Ft. Walton Beach, Florida Monday.

“We fell behind then we had 15 or 16 hits after that. We hit the ball really well and our pitching was able to hold it down,” HCHS coach Brad Keown said.

The Cougars sent six base runners across home plate in the top of the first inning and the Hornets’ 4-game winning streak looked to be in danger. But looks can be deceiving.

Kaleb Keown and Ryan Jones delivered RBI hits in the home half of the inning. Keown stroked a 2-run double in the second and Hunter Severs singled and scored. The game was tied at 6-6, but Holy Cross scored two in the third and another in the fourth for a 9-6 advantage.

The Hornets big fourth inning started when Drew Lyday and Keown reached base on defensive errors. Jones, Austin Volocko, Andrew Boutcher, Lyday and Keown all followed with base hits as 10 base runners crossed home plate.

Hancock County added four more runs in the fifth for good measure and the game was called via the 10-run rule when Logan Willis  rapped a 2-run single up the middle.

Volocko got the win on the mound in a relief role. He allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits, with four Ks and two walks over three innings. Brock Tindle started and allowed six runs on four hits, with one K and two walks in one inning. Luke Brown allowed one run on one hit, with one K and one walk in one inning of relief.

Lyday was 4 for 5 with one RBI and four runs scored and Keown was 3 for 5 with two doubles and four RBI. Volocko was 2 for 4 with three runs, Jones was 2 for 5 with one RBI, Willis was 1 for 2 with two RBI, Boutcher was 1 for 3 with one RBI and four runs scored, Severs and Jack Duncan were both 1 for 4, and Jake Frames had an RBI sacrifice.

The Hornets struggled at the plate early in the season, but they have turned things around. Coach Keown talked about his teams hitting resurgence.

“We’ve been aggressive on the first pitch strike on the fast balls. We’re going after it instead of watching it. I think that’s really turned it around for us, not letting pitchers get deep in the count.”

Campbellsville

The Hornets came from behind to win 9-7 over Campbellsville during the opening game of the spring break trip to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida Sunday.

“We carried the lead the whole game then we made some errors and they got back on top. We pushed some runs across in the seventh and Brock came in and shut the game down for us,” coach Keown said.

Austin Volocko led off the game with a triple and later scored on a defensive error. Drew Lyday drove in a run with a base hit and Ryan Jones did the same to give HCHS a 3-0 advantage.

The boys added a run in the third when Andrew Boutcher singled and scored and two more crossed home plate in the fifth to make it 5-1. The Eagles plated four runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth and suddenly the Hornets trailed 7-6.

Hancock County needed to rally in the seventh and they did. Boutcher drew a base on balls and Lyday stroked a base hit. Keown advanced the runner on a fielder’s choice then Jones put the Hornets ahead with a 2-run double.

Brock Tindle entered the game in the seventh and closed out Campbellsville by striking out the side. Sam Walz started on the mound. He allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits, with three Ks and two walks over five innings. Ryan Ogle got the win while allowing two runs (one earned) on no hits, with one K and four walks in one inning pitched.

Lyday was 2 for 2 with two RBI, and Jones was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI. Boutcher was 1 for 2 with one RBI and four runs scored, Volocko was 1 for 3 with a triple, and Jack Duncan was 1 for 4.

Tell City

Hancock County scored three first inning runs and never trailed after that during a 6-1 win over Tell City at Vastwood Park Friday.

The Marksmen pushed a run across in the top of the first before the Hornets answered in the home half.

Austin Volocko walked and Andrew Boutcher reached base for the ninth consecutive time when he was hit by a pitch. Drew Lyday drove in a run with a base hit, Boutcher later scored on a fielder’s choice and Lyday (courtesy runner) came home on a wild pitch.

Jake Frames doubled and scored on a hit by Kaleb Keown and the Hornets led 4-1 after two innings. Hancock County added a run in the fourth and another in the sixth when Jones ripped a 2-out base hit.

Jordan Payne got the win on the mound. He allowed one run on two hits, with four Ks and five walks over five innings. Logan Willis worked the final two frames, allowing no runs on no hits, with four Ks and three walks.

Frames was 2 for 3 at the plate with a double, and Lyday was 1 for 2 with one RBI. Keown was 1 for 3 with one RBI, Jones 1 for 4 with two RBI, and Willis was 1 for 4.

By Steve Wimmer