The story of the LaRue County Hawks third 5th Region Championship in four seasons can’t really be told in just a few sentences, but with all the talent this team has had over the years, it could have been expected.
Coach Kellen Lobb has done a masterful job putting this team in position and despite having plenty fo challenges this season. Losing star pitcher Brayden Singleton mid way through the season should have been a huge pothole for the Hawks chances to return after LaRue County was knocked out of the Final Four of the Regionals last season and the up and coming threats of Taylor County, Nelson County, Campbellsville as well as the 17th District powerhouses of Elizabethtown and Central Hardin were always present.
Still, Lobb had his team play one of the toughest schedules in the state to prepare them and develop a mentally tough team that could handle any situation as the playoffs approached. So after winning 26-games, the Hawks were ready as they blasted Caverna 15-0 in the Quarterfinals of the 18th district tournament, but fell 10-0 in the Championship against Green County.
Still, Lobb had to feel confident going into the 5th Region Tournament that was now played at Lindsey Wilson College and their first opponent was far was easy, but a great pitching effort Cole Miller, who went five innings and then relief duty by Brady Skaggs kept the Bruins at bay and survived a late rally to advance, 5-4. Although, the Hawks only got six hits, they stole five bases and kept the Bruins off balance for much of the game.
After a one day break because of weather issues, the Regional was moved to Green County, but htat didn’t stop the Hawks as they jumped all over the Cardinals for five runs in the first three innings despite getting only three hits, but seven walks helped and Creed Price got a complete game win although Nelson County made a late rally scoring three times in the seventh, but LaRue County was in the Region final again for the third time in four seasons.
The Championship game featured a great pitching matchup with Star Cole McLean going for Taylor County against Brady Skaggs for LaRue County and it was a dandy, but he Hawks made their presence felt quickly as they scratched out a run in the first when Cole Miller singled and Ryan Hughes brought him home on a double. LaRue County scored again in the third and once again it was Miller singling and scoring after Kobe Cahoe singled. Skaggs did a marvelous job keeping the Cardinals off balance and despite giving off a run in the sixth, he shut them out the rest of the way.
Somehow the Hawks third trip to Lexington may have seemed scripted, but for so many reasons it really made sense as they always found a way to survive when things got tough as the loss of Singlton and injuries to other players never kept them down and Lobb should give his coaches some credit as well as they had just as much to do with the success of the team in this another successful season thus far.
So LaRue County will be playing the Region 10 winner Friday @ Legends Field and you can bet the entire city of Hodgensville will be present and making you thing Kentucky may be playing that day as the stadium will be covered in blue. As they say at LaRue County “Once a Hawk, Always a Hawk,” and it seems like fans may have to get use to seeing Blue there maybe for the next several seasons if thei contin