By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Justin Colvin’s two-run homer with two out in the seventh inning gave Covington Catholic a 4-2 win over Beechwood in the 35th District baseball final on Thursday at Beechwood.
After a run-scoring double by CovCath junior Thomas Cody tied the score, 2-2, Colvin hit the first home run of his varsity career over the left field fence to put the Colonels ahead.
Beechwood wasn’t able to score in the bottom of the seventh and CovCath senior pitcher Ben France picked up the win that gives him a 7-1-1 record this season.
The district final was postponed by rain on Wednesday with Beechwood holding a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning. The Tigers got both of their runs off Cody, who was CovCath’s starting pitcher.
When the game resumed on Thursday, France took the mound and he held Beechwood scoreless through the last five innings. He had eight strikeouts and gave up two hits with one walk.
CovCath had six hits in the game, including a pair of doubles by Cody and a triple by sophomore Jack Coldiron. Beechwood also had six hits with senior Noah Huesman getting two of them. The Tigers’ only extra-base hit was a double by junior Brayden Burch.
Both teams advance to the 9th Region tournament that begins Monday at UC Health Stadium in Florence. A draw to determine first-round pairings is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at Dixie Heights High School.
The other teams in the 9th Region tournament bracket will be Conner, Cooper, Dixie Heights, St. Henry, Newport Central Catholic and Highlands. The regional champion will advance to the 16-team state tournament that begins June 8 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington.
COVCATH 001 000 3 — 4 6 0
BEECHWOOD 020 000 0 — 2 6 2
WP — French (8 Ks). LP — Trusty. HITTING LEADERS: CC — Cody 2-4, 2 2B; Coldiron 2-3 3B; Colvin HR, 2 RBI. B — Huesman 2-3, Burch 2B. RECORDS: CovCath 27-7, Beechwood 28-9.
Baseball district playoff games
32nd District at Grant County
Tuesday – Simon Kenton 12, Williamstown 2
Friday – Grant County vs. Walton-Verona, 5:15 p.m.
Friday – Championship: Simon Kenton vs. Grant County-Walton-Verona winner, 6:30 p.m.
33rd District at Conner
Monday – Conner 5, Boone County 1
Wednesday – Cooper 1, Ryle o
Thursday – Championship: Cooper 2, Conner 1
34th District at Dixie Heights
Monday – Ludlow 7, Lloyd 4
Tuesday – Dixie Heights 12, Ludlow 1
Tuesday – St. Henry 4, Villa Madonna 1
Wednesday – Championship: Dixie Heights 5, St. Henry 2
35th District at Covington Catholic
Monday – Covington Catholic 4, Holy Cross 2
Tuesday – Beechwood 14, Holmes 4
Thursday – Championship: CovCath 4, Beechwood 2
36th District at Highlands
Monday – Newport Central Catholic 10, Bellevue 0
Tuesday – Newport 13, Dayton 3
Wednesday – Highlands 18, Newport 1
Friday – Championship: NewCath vs. Highlands, 5 p.m.
37th District at Scott
Tuesday – Campbell County 11, Calvary Christian 1
Tuesday – Brossart 9, Scott 0
Friday – Championship: Campbell County vs. Brossart, 6 p.m.
Softball district playoff games
32nd District at Walton-Verona
Monday – Simon Kenton 2, Walton-Verona 1
Tuesday – Grant County 7, Williamstown 5
Friday – Championship: Simon Kenton vs. Grant County, 5:30 p.m.
33rd District at Conner
Monday – Boone County 10, Cooper 0
Wednesday – Conner 8, Ryle 7
Friday – Championship: Boone County vs. Conner, 5 p.m.
34th District at Villa Madonna
Monday – St. Henry 6, Lloyd 5
Monday – Villa Madonna 5, Ludlow 2
Tuesday – Dixie Heights 9, Villa Madonna 0
Saturday – Championship: St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights, 11 a.m
35th District at Holy Cross
Sunday – Holy Cross 17, Holmes 7
Sunday – Beechwood 18, Covington Latin 1
Monday – Notre Dame 25, Beechwood 0
Monday – Championship: Notre Dame 10, Holy Cross 0
36th District at Newport Vets Field
Monday – Newport 16, Bellevue 1
Tuesday – Newport Central Catholic 10, Dayton 0
Tuesday – Highlands 18, Newport 1
Friday – Championship: Highlands vs. NewCath, 5 p.m.
37th District at Scott
Tuesday – Campbell County 15, Calvary Christian 0
Tuesday – Brossart 9, Scott 5
Friday – Championship: Campbell County vs. Brossart, 6 p.m.