‘There’s only one Owen.’ Why UK commit is so key for Lexington Catholic baseball
Three games into what is now an 11-win season for No. 16 Lexington Catholic baseball, senior catcher Owen Jenkins sustained an injury.
The University of Kentucky commit, whom LexCath head coach and former Wildcat Scott Downs called “probably the best catcher in the state,” is inimitable for the Knights — but his contribution is so “huge,” that his teammates couldn’t help but try to fill the gap in his absence.
“We had some guys trying to be Owen,” Downs said. “And there’s only one Owen. There’s only one of each. And so they were all trying to be the same guy, and they can’t.”
What does it mean, to try to be Owen Jenkins?
“Trying to do too much,” Downs said. “Trying to play above their capability, were trying to hit home runs. We’re not a home run-hitting team. ... They were trying to fill some big shoes, and they have to wear their own shoes, and then have each teammate come in and do their job. If we have, you know, 25 guys, and they all know their role and do their job, we’re a pretty good team.”
Tuesday’s 8-0 shutout victory over rival Lexington Christian Academy (13-12, 5-2 43rd District) marked Jenkins’ third game since returning to the lineup, and the Knights’ third consecutive win.
“It’s been good to get back on the field,” Jenkins said. “Obviously, it’s been tough missing some games. Especially just wanting to be with the guys, but I’m glad to be back.”
With Jenkins back on the diamond, the Knights have eased into a rhythm; and, though it took a couple of scoreless innings, Lexington Catholic put its groove on full display in the bottom of the third — runs from Jack White, Bennie Lawrence, Bo Redford, Cody Decker, Brady Wasik and Beckett Brittingham blowing the game open with six runs, and a bevy of post-run celebrations in and around the home dugout.
Jenkins said he felt the team needed to settle in before the packed third inning, and said the Knights didn’t give opposing pitcher Joseph Seigler his due.
“I think we were kind of jumping ahead a little bit on the pitcher,” Jenkins said. “Kind of underestimating him a little bit. Just kind of came back to our approaches, working over the second base instead and got some runs.”
Seigler, the reigning Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association 11th Region Player of the Week, was 6-0 in starts prior to Tuesday’s loss. Against the Knights, Seigler struck out three batters, walked two, and allowed six runs on five hits. He was relieved by Nathan Groves, who struck out one batter and allowed two runs on two hits in the sixth inning, which were scored by LexCath’s John Crandall and Chris Vittitow.
Despite the injury, Jenkins’ senior year has been a good one. On a notably younger LexCath squad, the catcher serves as a necessary leader to a talent-packed group with its eyes set on another trip to the state tournament. The team’s leadoff batter is hitting .556, and he flipped his commitment from Louisville to Kentucky in the fall.
When asked about the decision to choose Kentucky, Jenkins spoke highly of UK head coach Nick Mingione and the direction of the program.
“The way he treats his players,” Jenkins said. “And just the way the program’s continuing to thrive. I’m looking forward to it.”
Against the Eagles on Tuesday, Jenkins had one hit and one walk in three at-bats, and served as a necessary co-anchor of the Knights’ defense, alongside star pitcher and fellow UK commit Jack Sams, who returned to the mound this season after an injury kept him out his junior year.
The team’s sole error came near the end of the game — which Downs called “just trying to look cute, as opposed to just making the play.” Downs noted his team’s defense as a consistent strength throughout the year, and that Sams’ taking care of business set the tone for the rest of the defense.
“That’s something that we talk about,” Downs said. “If a ball’s hit to you, know what you’re going to do with it. It ain’t about how you look. It’s about getting the job done. And you know, Jack Sams threw the ball well, threw strikes and kept them off balance and kept our guys in play.”
Sams pitched six innings, and walked four batters, allowed just one hit and recorded 10 strikeouts. He was relieved by Nate Daukas, who threw nine pitches to five batters. The Knights’ offense recorded eight runs on seven hits.
“We’re younger this year,” Jenkins said. “And a lot of guys are new. And everybody’s super excited to continue the winning, and we’re just looking forward to that.”
Now 11-7 on the season and 5-1 in 43rd District play, Lexington Catholic has secured a top-two seed in the district tournament, slated to begin later this month. The Knights were to face the Eagles again Wednesday, this time at LCA, before finishing the regular season with games against George Rogers Clark, Bryan Station, Bishop Brossart, Bullitt East, Male and Scott County.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 10:28 AM.
