Bluegrassrivals

Eastern High School’s baseball team gave visiting Lexington Catholic a little too much help as the top-ranked Knights held on for a 7-6 win Saturday afternoon in the Louisville Invitational Tournament.

With the No. 7-ranked Eagles (22-6) leading 5-3, the first seven Lexington Catholic batters reached in the top of the fifth inning. And just one — Trey Miller, who hit a single to left field — was able to get the ball out of the infield.

Logan Taylor led off with an infield hit against Eastern ace Robert Strader, who has committed to the University of Louisville. Then Strader issued back-to-back walks to Will Hurt and Tyler Jackson.

Shane Hancock then came in to relieve Strader.

The free passes continued as Lexington Catholic’s Evan Fraliex drew a walk to force home a run before Miller delivered the two-run single, giving the Knights a 6-5 edge. They added another run after a throwing error and led 7-5.

Overall, Eastern’s pitchers allowed seven walks, threw a wild pitch and hit one batter.

“Our pitchers didn’t have their ‘A’ game and we struggled to find the strike zone,” coach John Morris said. “In a situation like that against a good team, they’ll find a way to take advantage of it, which they did.”

Lexington Catholic coach Taylor Brooks said he knew it would be tough going against Strader.

“We got a lot of help with some keys walks, and we utilized our speed a little bit,” Brooks said. “He has really good stuff. He just struggled to find the zone today. ... Obviously, he’s got really good stuff and will be good in the future. He just didn’t have it today.”

Eastern threatened in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings but scored just once, when Michael Davis hit a single to center field to drive in Chris Davis from second base.

“I was proud of the way our kids fought through it,” Morris said. “We really swung the bats well and competed. We were right in the game against the No. 1 team in the state until the last play.”

Morris came away with good feelings from the weekend after his team beat Central Hardin 6-0 and West Jessamine 12-3.

“I was pleased with the weekend,” he said. “We competed. Even when our guys don’t have the best stuff, we can still compete. ... We’re starting to swing the bats well and we’re starting to execute.”

Brooks said the Knights always enjoy coming to Louisville to play some of the city’s top teams, such as Eastern.

“It’s a program game,” he said. “Neither one of us will shy away from top competition.”

Lex. Catholic201 040 0 – 7 6 3Eastern201 201 0 – 6 10 1WP – Fraliex 4-1. LP – Strader 5-3. 2B – Taylor (LC), Davis (E), Phillet (E). HR – Chafin (LC). Records: Lexington Catholic 22-6, Eastern 22-6.http://saxo.highschoolsports.net/article...le&avis=B2