So much for adjusting to the 6A Conference and the Premier Region.

The Casteel Colts, the 5A champ the last two seasons, meticulously pieced a 9-5 victory over the Premier’s perennial power, Hamilton, and its ace, Boston Kellner. Tuesday’s win left Casteel a win away from clinching arguably the toughest region in the state in its first year in 6A.

The Colts punched the clock the minute they stepped on Hamilton’s field. Tone setter Connor Russell led the game off with a single up the middle.

Eleven of Casteel’s 14 hits were singles. It was nothing fancy, just an old school, blue collar baseball performance from the Colts.

They were also very disciplined, especially during their at-bats with two strikes. On the mound, starting pitcher Baylor Denny took the cue from his team during his effective outing, allowing four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

“He (Baylor) grinds it out,” Casteel coach Matt Denny said. “It wasn’t his best stuff by any means but seems to find a way to make big pitches when he needs to. He wants the moment. I’m really proud of the composure and maturity for a sophomore.”

Denny’s squad scored twice in the first, four times in the third and three in the sixth.

The three in the sixth came courtesy of Dallas Hairston’s homer to left. The sophomore went 4-for-4 with four RBI’s.

“We just try to play our brand of baseball and took care of business here,” Hairston said.

There are plenty of more high-fives to go around for Casteel (16-7, 6-1).

For proof:

• With runners on second and third, Logan Reber perfectly executed a sacrifice bunt to first to score a run in the second inning.
• In the fifth, shortstop Jace Diaz flashed the leather while sliding to his right before popping up to throw out a runner at first.
• Diaz and freshman Evan Hedlund pitched the final 1 2/3 innings.
• Sophomore Taylor Dodd turned a single into a double after hustling around first base in the fourth inning.

Hamilton (19-6, 5-2), which hadn’t lost in its previous seven outings, will attempt to spoil Casteel’s region championship hopes Wednesday when they meet again.

“We were totally outplayed in all facets of the game,” Hamilton coach Mike Woods said. “Offensively, defensively, emotionally. Everything. They did everything well and we did everything less than our best.

“That’s the good thing about baseball. There’s always tomorrow. Hopefully we show up tomorrow and give a better effort.”