Starting 5: New Kentucky soccer rivalry, Ballard softball sets KHSAA record, UofL baseball

Editor's note: A previous version of this story stated Ballard broke the Kentucky softball record for most wins in a row against Choctawhatchee (Florida) when the record came against Springboro (Ohio). This story has been updated to reflect that.

There may be a new soccer rivalry in Kentucky.

Louisville City FC hosted Lexington SC for the first time last Wednesday and won 1-0 in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, on a header from defender Sean Totsch in the 69th minute.

Lexington SC is in its first season of play, competing in the third division of American pro soccer, USL League One. LouCity, in its eighth year, competes in second-division USL Championship.

“They put on a good fight," Totsch said after the game. "It was a good performance, and they gave it to us 'til the very end.

“You want to have those regional rivalries. It’s nice to have one here. We used to have Nashville that was considered a rival. But now to have one this close, in the state, having something to play for and that pride was the extra motivation we needed.”

LouCity will face FC Cincinnati in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on April 26 in Cincinnati.

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Around the city: Ballard sets new KHSAA softball record

Defending state champion Ballard is in uncharted territory. The Bruins won a Kentucky record 47th straight game when they beat Springboro (Ohio) 14-8 in the Florida Softball Beach Bash on Wednesday. Imari Golden went 4-for-4 with two runs scored an RBI a stolen base, and Emory Donaldson was 3-for-5 with two runs, three RBIs and a stolen base. Brooke Gray struck out 11 in 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) for the win.

The previous record of 46 was set by Greenwood in 2013-14. Ballard won two more games in Florida to extend its streak to 49 and can go for No. 50 on Wednesday at Bullitt East.

Ballard last lost June 12, 2021 in the KHSAA tournament semifinals to Daviess County, then went 39-0 last season and beat Lexington Catholic for the state title.

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Performance of the week: Louisville junior sets long jump record

Redshirt junior Jeremiah Willis set a new Louisville long jump record and established one of the top distances in the nation April 1 with a winning wind-legal jump of 26-3.75 at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. Willis was named ACC Men's Co-Field Performer of the Week on Tuesday. His jump broke a 17-year-old U of L record of 26-1 set by Tone Belt. It's the top distance in the conference and second best in the nation so far this season.

High school recruiting: Kenyon Goodin flips to Bellarmine basketball

Collins High School two-sport star Kenyon Goodin delivered big news over the last week. The senior had been committed to play quarterback for Army since December.

But Collins tweeted March 30 he was no longer committed to the Black Knights "due to unforeseen circumstances." Then Wednesday he announced his commitment to Bellarmine University — to play basketball.

"I would say my upside for basketball is way bigger than football," Goodin told WDRB. "During the off-seasons when I wasn't playing basketball or football, I was always working on football speed and agility training, stuff like that."

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Goodin threw for 1,928 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions on 141 of 258 passing for the Titans, and he rushed for 18 touchdowns and 1,225 yards on 205 carries. He led Collins to the KHSAA Class 5A first round, losing to North Laurel.

On the hardwood, Goodin led the Titans to the Eighth Region Championship game, losing to Woodford County. A guard, he averaged 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in 34 games, sinking 59 3-pointers.

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Mark your calendars

• LouCity hosts Western Conference co-leader San Antonio FC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

• Racing Louisville FC, which has drawn in its first two games this season, is back in action Saturday at Angel City FC after a two-week break.

• The Louisville Bats are on the road for a six-game series against Toledo.

• Louisville baseball has its biggest week of the season so far. Fresh off a series sweep of Boston College, the Cardinals are at Jim Patterson Stadium for the final four of an eight-game home stand. They host red-hot Kentucky on Tuesday and ACC-leading Wake Forest in a three-game series over the weekend.

Play of the week: Louisville baseball turns impressive double play

Speaking of the Cardinals, U of L turned an incredible double play Saturday in its 4-2 win over Boston College. Gavin Klein and Christian Knapczyk turned two in the fifth inning when the Eagles were threatening with two on and one out. The web gem killed a potential rally and helped secure a series win.

Each week we'll highlight what's going on in and around Louisville, from high school to pro sports, in our "Starting 5." Got a story to tell or a play of the week? Tweet at us @CJ_Sports or email us at jadams@gannett.com. You can follow assistant sports editor Jake Adams on Twitter @jakeadams520.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville baseball, LouCity, Ballard KHSAA softball record: Starting5