By Don Ketchum

Paul Vinke is a big ol’ hoss. After seeing him lumber around the bases for Phoenix Christian’s baseball team, it is apparent that he won’t be entering the Kentucky Derby any time soon.

At 6 feet, 4 inches and roughly 230 pounds, the junior more closely resembles Paul Bunyan. He swings a long, metal pipe in the on-deck circle like it is a toothpick.

He also is a decent pitcher. Combine the pitching and hitting and you get an effort like the one on Friday (March 16), when Vinke led the Cougars to a 10-0 victory in five innings (10-run rule) over visiting Phoenix Country Day School.

The right-hander gave up just one hit, walked three batters and struck out seven.

At the plate, he had a triple and a pair of doubles and drove in two runs to help lift Phoenix Christian to a 4-2 record. The Cougars play Phoenix Country Day (7-2) again on Tuesday (March 20) before hosting a tournament late next week.

Ben Filuk and Austin Green also drove in two runs for the Cougars.

Phoenix Christian scored three runs on four hits in the first inning. Jake Tarver walked with one out, Matt Tate doubled, Vinke tripled, and Filuk and Green had singles.

The Cougars sent nine men to the plate while scoring four times in the third.

Vinke started it off with a double, and the parade picked up speed from there.

Phoenix Christian iced the game in the fifth, scoring three runs with one out on five hits. A single to right by Green ended it.