The Tigers (28-6) and Aces (30-4) meet in what looks like the best first round match-up, at least on paper. OCath was ranked #5 in the most recent PBR Kentucky Top 25, with Beechwood checking in at #6. Game is set for Thursday, June 2nd at 8:30pm at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington. 

Game changers

Brice Estep (Beechwood) .475 BA | 54 RBIs | 16 doubles is most among players in the tournament 

Luke Evans (OCath) .505 BA is the highest among players in the tournament | 57 runs scored | 37 stolen bases

Mitchell Berger (Beechwood) .416 BA | 6 HRs | 36 RBIs | 7-0 with a 2.44 ERA in 43 innings pitched 

Braden Mundy (OCath) .433 BA | 32 RBIs 

Cameron Boyd (Beechwood) State leading 15 HRs | 37 RBIs 

Sam McFarland (OCath) 4-0 with a 2.58 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched | .346 BA | 28 RBIs 

I am on the Tiger Train as long as it keeps rolling. 

Just wanna show some love for Aces skipper Jody Hamilton. Owensboro Catholic is the third different school he's guided to the state tournament, along with Boyd County and West Jessamine. He's right around 1,000 career wins with 16 region titles and a state championship. Truly one of the greats this state has produced.

I'm eager to see how this one plays out. It's really too close to call, but I'll go with Beechwood. I like their chances if Berger takes the mound along with a line-up that can flat out rake.

Pitching matchup:

Mitchell Berger (Beechwood) 7-0 with a 2.44 ERA in 43 innings pitched 

vs.

Sam McFarland (OCath) 4-0 with a 2.58 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched

Radio call available HERE.

Live stats available HERE.

Beechwood cracks the scoring column first with a Brice Estep rbi double and a Ben Meier sacrifice fly. 

2-0 Tigers after one inning complete.

Alex Castlen takes Berger deep to get the Aces on the board. That was his first HR of the season.

2-1 Beechwood heading to the B2

15 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

Alex Castlen takes Berger deep to get the Aces on the board. That was his first HR of the season.

2-1 Beechwood heading to the B2

When the pitcher is throwing 90, square one up and it will go.

OCath threatens with runners at 2nd and 3rd, but Berger works out of the jam.

Still 2-1 Beechwood. Bottom of the 3rd coming up.

Estep singles in his second run of the game followed by a Berger sac fly. Moving on to the T4.

4-1 Beechwood

Berger strikes out the side as we move to the B4. Still 4-1 Beechwood.

Nazario Pangallo triples home Jackson Roseborrough to extend the Beechwood lead to 5-1. That concludes the 4th inning.

Pitching change forthcoming for Beechwood as OCath has the bases loaded with one out in the T5.

Sam Stacy in for Berger. 

OCath gets two across on a Braden Mundy infield single and a Brady Atwell fielder's choice.

5-3 Beechwood, middle of the 5th.

Tanner Jackson doubles in Shawn Sowder with two outs to get a run back for Beechwood. 

6-3 Tigers 

Five innings complete.