[CrosbyField]

OK folks. Feels like I'm talking to myself. On such a rainy day and none of my favorite college basketball teams to root for, what better to do than review what few fifth region games we had the first week of the baseball season. Here's my view:

Central Hardin: It took 9 innings but the Bruins outlasted the Butler Bears at home. Coach Wolff does a good job at Butler but has the disadvantage of playing in the same Region as State Champion PRP. I think they expected to be respectable but not spectacular this year. Thus, a bit disappointing that CH had to go the extra innings at home to pull out the win. Just as most thought, Heideman is going to be depended on A LOT his year. He came through with the game-winning RBI Friday night and picked up 3 other hits and another RBI. Tyler Wood also picked up a couple of hits. I'm told Junior Skylar Lucas was a bit better expected for a first game start and Soph. Cooper Jones pitched well in his one inning of work. Good start for the Bruins but will need hitting from more than just two players.

ELIZABETHTOWN: Can't be terribly excited about the 1-1 start, even though a loss to Meade is nothing to be too concerned with. Meade took Jackson Webb's bat away with two HBPs. Pitching still has to be a concern. I'm not convinced Green Co. has much this year and it took Webb's two-run homer in the fifth for the Panthers to win it. Worried a bit.

MARION COUNTY: Sometimes it's just good to get a win in the opener. I talked to a friend at Nelson this morning. The Cards were in this one from the start. Benton McGill threw well for Nelson but had to go 93 pitches on a cool, damp opening night in Lebanon. For Marion, the Thomas lefty was all that was expected, throwing four innings and striking out 9. Also as expected Travis Wiser and Kelly Mattingly provided the hitting punch. I'm told that Wiser hit three frozen ropes and was essentially walked intentionally in his fourth AB (I'm still saying he's the best hitter in the Region). Mattingly was 2-3 and knocked in 2 of Marion's first 3 runs on two-out hits. Still a question behind the plate for the Knights.

NORTH HARDIN: Bethlehem is going to be very average this year and the Trojans squeaked out a 3-2 win over them at home. Manley pitched well enough to win, but I understand it wasn't his best appearance -- but it's the first game of the season. The big question has always been whether NH can hit enough to win consistently. The could muster only 3 hits vs. Bethlehem, but Bethlehem could only scratch out 2. Both of theses teams have a way to go.

LARUE COUNTY: Worried that the Hawks will struggle this year. An 8-6 win over South Warren and a 6-0 loss to Fern Creek is not going to impress many. Fern Creek's Kaleb Corbett is the real deal, I know, and he's already committed to Louisville, but only one hit and 12 Ks is not likely ONLY the result facing a really good pitcher. Got to wonder whether they will get consistent stick work from anyone other than Dalton Skaggs.

Hart Co. vs. Thomas Nelson: Thomas Nelson picked up the win but not much to pay attention with either of these teams.

TAYLOR COUNTY: The Cards picked up two first-week wins over Wayne County. Sorry. That means virtually nothing. Taylor will have to convince me that they are better than just average by beating some of the teams over at Green County this week (but it doesn't look like the weather will let them get those games in). I know, I know, somehow Taylor placed more players on the KHSBCA pre-season All-State team than anyone else in the region. Don't drink the Kool-Aid.

I look forward to your comments Fifth Region fans.