In a battle of two teams that were state runners-up last season, University played Cathedral Thursday at Grand Park.
The Class 1A Trailblazers got an early lead on the 4A Irish, but Cathedral took control in the third inning, and ultimately won 12-1 in six innings. University, playing a tougher schedule this season, is now 7-8-1.
“We want the schedule this way because, we want them to know you have to pitch,” said UHS coach Chris Estep. “It doesn’t mean you stop going after guys. You have to stay aggressive going after guys and pitching, and pitching hard and being aggressive.”
The ‘Blazers scored their run in the bottom of the first inning. Alex Washlock led off with a triple, then scored on Nate Shatkowski’s RBI groundout. Meanwhile, University was holding off the Irish, but they scored three runs in the third inning to take the lead. Cathedral then added five runs in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth to end the game on the 10-run rule.
“We did not take the fight to them from the mound,” said Estep. “When we did, we had great success. And our young kids have got to learn, just because they’re young and at a 1A school doesn’t mean they can’t compete with 4A teams.”
Washlock finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate, and also hit a double.
The Trailblazers will play Saturday afternoon at Boone Grove.
Cathedral 12, University 1
(6 innings)
University AB R H RBI
Alex Washlock 3 1 3 0
Nate Shatkowski 2 0 1 1
Dawson Estep 2 0 0 0
Ben Westerkamm 3 0 0 0
Ben Ewer 3 0 0 0
Adam Oxley 3 0 0 0
Ethan Johnson 2 0 0 0
Kolton Stevens 2 0 0 0
Jacob Lange 1 0 0 0
Matt Moore 1 0 0 0
Totals 22 1 4 1
Score by innings
Cathedral 003 054 – 12 11 0
University 100 000 – 1 4 0
3B: Washlock. 2B: Washlock. SB: Shatkowski.
University pitching IP R ER H
Oxley 4.1 5 5 7
Lange 0.1 3 2 0
Moore 1.1 4 4 4
Strikeouts: Oxley 1. Walks: Lange 4, Oxley 2, Moore 1.
University’’s Alex Washlock went 3-for-3, including a triple and a double, during the Trailblazers’ Thursday game with Cathedral. (Richie Hall)