BLUFF CITY — UH head coach Christian Taylor referred to his team’s win over North Greene as “low-key” on Monday evening. However, it is hard to refer to three straight District 1-1A Championships as anything close to “low-key.”
The Buccaneers methodically moved past the Huskies by a final score of 8-0.
“They’ve worked hard all off-season,” Taylor said. “Like I told them, ‘Kudos to them and kudos to the guys before them who set a standard of winning district championships.’ They’ve held that standard and we’re looking to take it up a notch.”
It took until the middle innings, but the Buccaneers' offense was able to kick things into high gear in a hurry. UH picked up a pair of runs in the third on RBIs from Cooper Stevenson and Peter Boynewicz before scratching across four in the fourth.
After two singles to lead off the frame, University High got three straight RBI hits, most notably a two-run double from Boynewicz. The right fielder ended up 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. Meanwhile, Stevenson notched a pair of hits of his own out of the three-spot, while also driving in three runs and scoring twice.
“I feel like the meat of our order is just as tough as anybody's in the state’s is,” Taylor said. “You can’t pitch around them because you have the next guy. I’m proud of them for getting the job done.”
Starting pitcher Sam Duncan shined on the bump for the Bucs, going five innings and allowing just two hits. He walked just one and struck out five before giving way to Boynewicz.
“Sam’s been consistent for us all year,” Taylor said. “Peter comes in and he’s an upper-velo-type guy. Our pitching staff is deep and our top guys are really tough to beat. When they’re on, they’re on, and Sam was that today, and he has been all year.”
Mason Smith had the lone extra-base hit for the Huskies, hitting a second-inning double with one out, but was ultimately left stranded.
The Buccaneers added a couple of insurance runs in the fifth on a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly to shut the door. Despite the eventual eight-run differential, Taylor believes his club can improve.
“I don’t feel like we played our best,” Taylor said. “Our pitching was dominant, but we were just able to scratch across eight runs. I think it was a low-key 8-0 game.”
University High will have a few days until it delves into the Region 1-1A tournament. The Bucs will take on Hancock County at Washburn High School on Friday.
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