By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sport reporter
Simon Kenton advanced to the championship game of the 8th Region baseball tournament for the first time since 2017 with an 11-0 win over Henry County in the semifinals on Thursday at the University of Louisville.
It was the third shutout victory in four post-season playoff games for the Pioneers (26-13), who will play Woodford County (26-8) in the region final at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Woodford County won a regular season game at Simon Kenton, 8-4, on April 15. The Yellow Jackets are riding an eight-game win streak after beating South Oldham in the other 8th Region semifinal game.
Campbell County lost to tournament host Bourbon County, 3-1, in the 10th Region semifinals on Thursday despite a good pitching performance by Zach Franzen, who had 10 strikeouts in six innings.
Bourbon County scored three runs in the fifth inning, but two of them were unearned. The Camels’ only run in the bottom of the fifth came on a dropped ball in the outfield. They end the season with a 21-13 record.
The 9th Region baseball championship game between Ryle and Dixie Heights will be played at 11 a.m. Saturday at Thomas More Stadium in Florence.