PREP BASEBALL: Christian Academy squad a 7th Region surprise (06/04)

By CHUCK JONES cjones@thenewsenterprise.com LOUISVILLE — Sustaining success in the 7th Region is a tough task in itself. Building a program in the 7th Region is nearly impossible. Don’t tell Christian Academy of Louisville coach Bill Gray and the Centurions. “Even successful programs in the region find it competitive,” Gray said. “For new programs, it’s doubly hard. Mature programs find it tough. It’s hard. We have so many young guys in the lineup. They were a bit nervous (in the region) going up against those tradition rich programs, but maybe they are too young too understand. That’s our strength.” The Centurions, who won their first region championship in only their second appearance in the tournament, play the Central Hardin Bruins (22-9) in the best-of-three Semi-State 3 series, which begins tonight at 6 at Louisville Male High School. Game 2 is Thursday at 6 p.m., and if necessary, Game 3 will be Friday at 6 p.m. Last season, CAL finished 17-13, won the 28th District Tournament and made it to the region semifinals, getting the school’s first region win before losing to Louisville Trinity. The Centurions are 17-17 this season, but they enter the series on a roll. They have won six of their last seven games, including beating ranked foes Trinity and St. Xavier on their way to the region title. “This is a good accomplishment for this team and our school,” said Gray, who is in his second season. “We’re trying to continue to make improvements and build a program. We won the district last year and we won the region this year. We’re making progress. “We have a nice mix of senior leadership and younger players, who are constantly pushing the older players,” he added. Gray is no stranger to championship baseball. He was a member of the 1981 state championship team at St. Xavier. After graduation, Gray went on to the University of Louisville and was a member of the team that ranked nationally in home runs per game. He led the ’85 and ’86 teams in batting average, home runs, RBIs and doubles. Gray is also familiar with the 5th Region. For one, he married the former Kelly Boone, who is the daughter of Judy Boone and the late Ron Boone. Kelly graduated from Elizabethtown High School. Gray also recruited the area for the University of Louisville. “(Central Hardin coach) Todd (Thompson) and (assistant coach) Demond (Thomas) do a great job,” Gray said. “I’ve seen them coach and they play to win. I’ve even seen them play before. They will be hard to beat. They will try to capitalize on our youth. We have to do what we’ve been doing all week and not let the game get too big.” Central Hardin and CAL played twice during spring break in Myrtle Beach, S.C., with each team getting a win. Gray said those early season meetings mean little this time of year. “Those games during spring break are two seasons ago,” Gray said. “You have the region tournament, which is a season, you have the district tournament, which is a season, and you have the preseason, which is the entire regular season. They are probably a completely different team and I hope we are a different team. But that trip was invaluable for us.” Gray said he hasn’t set his rotation for the series. Each game the Centurions warm up two pitchers and decide on one an hour before the game. “We’re a very young team so what it does for us is focus on preparing and it’s about opportunities earned for players who prepare well before the game,” Gray said. “Our pregame focus tends to be pretty good because of it.” Chuck Jones can be reached at 505-1759