George Rogers Clark’s Jake Ware threw a two-hitter and the Cardinals jumped on Paris early to earn a 3-0 home victory and their first district win.

“It’s key to start off district play with a good win,” Ware said. “It sends a message to our district.”

Cameron Dove had a three-hit day at the plate and scored one of GRC’s three runs.

Ware helped himself out with an RBI hit. Keaton Aldridge and Dakota Puckett also had RBIs in the win.

For GRC, it was the fifth straight victory and the third straight loss for Paris, which had started the season 6-0 prior to the skid.

“We hit the ball really well, played good defense and got good pitching,” GRC coach Matt Ginter said.

Ware struck out 12 batters and allowed just three walks as the Greyhounds never threatened.

“Jake attacks and throws strikes,” Ginter said. “He had a pretty good pitch count. The key is to pitch it where they can hit it, then let’s play defense.”

The Cardinals utitlized a number of younger players in the win. Puckett was 2-for-2 with a walk. Jaxson Davis hit leadoff and scored a run.

“We put them in that spot because we felt they would step up and they did that,” Ware said.

As the youth develops, the Cardinals get deeper. That will help them make a playoff run, Ginter said.

“The younger guys are contributing,” he said. “I told the guys, ‘It takes a village. It’s not going to be nine players. It may be 10, 12 or 15. We’re all going to have to contribute to make a run at this.’”

The Cardinals are back in action Saturday morning at home when they take on Mason County at 11 a.m.

Mason is 5-6 and dropped an 8-6 decision at Bourbon County Thursday night. They’ll face Newport tonight.

The game should see the return of junior outfielder JJ Johnson. Johnson was hit in the head by a pitch while squaring to bunt last week. He was forced to sit for a week while completing concussion protocols before being cleared to play.

Ginter said he has been cleared and should see action Saturday.

GRC hits the road next week with trips to Fleming County and Bourbon County scheduled. They will return home Thursday to play Madison Southern.