If the Harlan Green Dragons were concerned about all the offense they must replace from a year ago with the loss of six starters, sophomore first baseman Jared Moore gave them reason to relax Thursday. He drove in eight runs and scored four while pounding out a double and four singles in five at bats as Harlan opened the season with a 22-9 victory at Leslie County.
“The boys played well tonight. We started out a little slow, which is to be expected the first game of the year, especially when you have two eighth-graders, three freshman and two sophomores starting,” Harlan coach Lee Freyer said. “We had 54 plate appearances as a team and only six strikeouts, which is a great improvement. Every hitter was a tough out tonight. Jared Moore and Nate Montanaro had big nights at the plate.”
Nate Montanaro drove in five runs on a double and two singles. Jake Brewer added a double, while Aiden Johnson, Baylor Varner, Brody Owens and Donovan Montanaro contributed one single each.
Varner earned the win on the mound as he gave up four runs (two earned) on four hits in 3 1/3 innings, with six strikeouts and four walks. Eighth-grader Luke Luttrell earned a save by allowing only one run on two hits over three innings, with five strikeouts and two walks. Moore started on the mound, giving up four runs on two hits with three walks.
“Luke Luttrell came in and closed the game out for us. For an eighth-grader to come in a close game and pitch how he did, that’s impressive. We think he has a really bright future,” Freyer said.
Harlan plays host to East Ridge on Saturday in a doubleheader.
———
Harlan 230 337 4 — 22. 13 3
Leslie County 401 301 0 — 9. 8. 6
Moore, Varner (1), Luttrell (5) and Owens; T. Baker, D. Baker (3), Caldwell (5), Shell (6) and Shell, Hoskins (6). WP — Varner (1-0). LP — Caldwell. SV — Luttrell (1).