By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Simon Kenton baseball team is riding a seven-game winning streak into the state tournament and coach Troy Roberts is anxious to see if the momentum will continue.
“We’re relaxed and enjoying the moment,” Roberts said. “At the same time, my message to (our players) is let’s not be one of those teams that’s just happy to be there, let’s be one of those teams that’s going down there to win a state championship. I think they’re taking on that mentality, but until we step on the field Thursday you don’t really know.”
Simon Kenton (24-15) will take on Clark County (23-9) in the first round of the 16-team state tournament at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Whitaker Bank Park in Lexington. This is the second time in four years that the Pioneers have made it to the season finale as as the 8th Region champion. They brought home the state runner-up trophy in 2014.
The first round with continue with four lower-bracket games on Friday. The last one will be Highlands (25-12) vs. Johnson Central (37-7) at 8:30 p.m. This is the third consecutive year that Highlands has represented the 9th Region in the state tournament. The Bluebirds were state runner-up in 2015.
In the final week of the regular season, Simon Kenton had a 17-15 record and coach Roberts said he didn’t know if his team could “put it all together” for the playoffs. But the Pioneers won their final two games that week and then reeled off five straight victories in the 32nd District and 8th Region tournaments.
During that seven-game winning streak, Simon Kenton scored 63 runs and limited its opponents to 21 for an average winning margin of 9-3. The Pioneers’ team batting average now stands at .300 and the pitching staff has a 2.69 combined earned run average.
The pitchers with the most wins this season are junior Bailey Martin (6-2), senior left-hander Mitchell Kreidenweis (6-4) and junior Brayden Trattles (5-0). Roberts said he hasn’t decided which one will take the mound against Clark County on Thursday.
“They’ve all given us good starts and give us a good chance to win,” the coach said. “We’re still trying to get more information on Clark County and figure out who matches up best against them. We’re probably looking at Bailey, but we’re just not sure yet.”
The Pioneers’ leading hitter is senior catcher Hunter Faehr with a .397 average, followed by junior first baseman Brennan Baker (.368), junior outfielder Kyle Taylor (.345) and senior shortstop Trent Kincaid (.341). Baker has 35 runs batted in and 16 extra-base hits to lead the team in both of those categories. He hit a grand slam home run in the regional final last week.
“Outside of Baker, we’re mostly singles hitter type guys, looking to put the ball in play and let the other team make mistakes and move runners around that way,” coach Roberts said. “The last few weeks we’ve done really good with that. If it continues, we’ll be OK.”
Kincaid is a four-year starter who played on the Simon Kenton’s 2015 state runner-up team. He’s one of three seniors in the starting lineup who set an example for their younger teammates.
“Trent is an impact player, there’s no other way to put it,” Roberts said. “You know you’re going to get his best every single day. He’s been playing that way since he was a freshman.”
The fact that none of the other Simon Kenton players have state tournament experience doesn’t bother Roberts. He said several of them play football and were in big games during the playoffs last fall.
“They’re going to have butterflies. They’re not human if they don’t,” the coach said. “Hopefully, after those first few pitches, we’re just going to relax and play our game.”
STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
(at Whitaker Bank Park, Lexington)
Thursday, June 8 – Upper bracket
Marion County vs. Hazard, 11 a.m.
Muhlenberg County vs. Rowan County, 1:30 p.m.
Boyle County vs. Knox Central, 6 p.m.
SIMON KENTON vs. Clark County, 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 9 – Lower bracket
McCracken County vs. Louisville Trinity, 11 a.m.
Franklin-Simpson vs. Pleasure Ridge Park, 1:30 p.m.
Scott County vs. Caldwell County, 6 p.m.
HIGHLANDS vs. Johnson Central, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 10
Upper bracket quarterfinals, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Lower bracket quarterfinals, 6 and 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 16
Upper bracket semifinal, 11 a.m.
Lower bracket semifinal, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 17
Championship game, 1 p.m.