How Ty Starke's left arm led No. 1 St. Xavier baseball past No. 2 Trinity

The gap between the No. 1 and No. 2 baseball teams in Kentucky may be larger than we thought.

Led by Ty Starke's dominant day on the mound, No. 1 St. Xavier blew out No. 2 Trinity 8-2 at home. The win improved the Tigers' record to 21-5, while giving Trinity (19-3) its third loss of the season.

Heading into the rivalry game, Starke and the Tigers were motivated by their loss to Trinity in last year's Seventh Region championship. The stakes weren't as high in Wednesday's matchup, but the revenge was still gratifying.

"I was actually in the dugout last year for our loss and you can ask anybody that was there, that was our motivation the whole offseason," Starke said. "That was something we couldn't stop thinking about and from the start of this we were locked in, we were focused and I think that honestly made us want it more."

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What it means

St. Xavier and Trinity faced off for the Seventh Region championship in 2021, 2019 and 2017, and it’s likely to happen again. A lot can transpire in the span of a month, but the Tigers proved their superior pitching gives them the advantage in the postseason.

Trinity didn't muster a hit until St. Xavier already amassed a six run lead. Even with sluggers Korbyn Dickerson and Matt Klein, Starke's control and chemistry with catcher Jacob Bennett made it difficult for the Shamrocks to find any rhythm.

By the time Starke became hittable, the game was mostly out of reach. Still, St. Xavier coach Andy Porta allowed Centre commit Quinten Shewmaker (3.15 ERA) to finish the game. The righty allowed only one hit over the final 1.1 innings, securing the save.

In the postseason, having a deep pitching rotation is the difference between hoisting the championship trophy or heading home in the quarterfinals. With Starke as the ace alongside other impressive starters like Ben Tedesco (1.25 ERA, Gulf Coast), Jake Gregor (4.26 ERA, Louisville) and Ben Purnell (1.18 ERA), the Tigers are as deep as they come.

Key moment

St. Xavier took the game over in then first inning after a two-run double from John Paul Jardina extended the Tigers’ lead to 3-0. Following the play, Trinity head coach Rick Arnold subbed out starter Paul Osting for senior RHP Nate Tencza. Still cold, Tencza allowed a Ryan Comella single that brought home Jardina before he could secure the last out of the inning.

Behind Tencza’s pitching, the Shamrocks wouldn’t allow another run until the fifth inning. The Tigers’ fast start to open the game, however, put heavy pressure on Trinity’s offense and St. Xavier didn’t waste any time taking advantage.

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By the numbers

St. Xavier ace pitcher Ty Starke was dominant through 5.2 innings. For most of the game, he had a no hitter going but ended the day allowing only two hits, two runs, two errors, five walks while striking out five Shamrocks in the process.

At the plate, Jardina's two RBIs were huge alongside Ryan Comella (2-2, RBI, BB) and Jack Thompson (2-3, RBI).

Up next

Fresh off beating its best competition in the city, St. Xavier will face a pair of tough out-of-state foes to end the week. On Thursday, the Tigers travel to Indiana to take on Floyd Central before welcoming Bowling Green and Cincinnati Elder (OH) on Friday.

Despite the loss, Trinity has a chance to end the week on a positive. The Shamrocks play three more games in three days. Waggener is first on Thursday before ending the week against Ballard (Friday) and Collins (Saturday).

KHSAA baseball polls: St. Xavier leaps Trinity for No. 1 spot in latest Kentucky high school baseball polls

They said it

Beating your most heated rival on your home turf feels good but not as good as winning the state championship. Tigers coach Andy Porta wants the team to remember that as they continue to hunt for their ultimate goal.

"It's a big win but we put it into perspective that and we've got to go back to work tomorrow against Floyd Central," Porta said. "Obviously its our rival and we lost to them last year so looking forward we also know that this game in the big picture doesn't mean anything."

Following his breakout performance, Starke announced his commitment to U of L on Twitter. The junior joins Louisville's talented 2023 class, which includes the 10th catching prospect in the nation Zion Rose, Lebanon (Ohio) LHP Colton Hartman — a National High School Coaches Association Preseason All-American — and Glenwood (Illinois) RHP Parker Detmers, the younger brother of Los Angeles Angels and former U of L pitcher Reid Detmers.

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KY high school baseball: No. 1 St. Xavier shuts down No. 2 Trinity