Hours after their biggest win of the season, the Harlan County Black Bears hopped on a bus Saturday morning and headed for Pike County with hopes of keeping their winning streak alive.
Harlan County overcame a slow start by pulling away for a 9-3 win at East Ridge. The Bears pounded out 13 hits in improving their record to 5-0.
“Coming off a game like last night with the energy being up so high, sometimes it’s hard to wake up the next morning travel almost two hours and play. We were a little sluggish at first and had some errors and mental errors, but we finally settled in and started doing things right,” Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey said. “We got down some good bunts, stole some bases, and got some good hits when we needed them. Getting 13 hits is great on any night.”
Sophomore infielder Alex Creech led the HCHS offense with four hits in five at bats, including a double. Brayden Blakley drove in three runs with three hits. Jonah Swanner and Isaac Kelly each had two hits. Will Cassim and Kaden Boggs added one hit each.
Senior right hander Karsten Dixon claimed his second win of the season by giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits in four innings, with three strikeouts and no walks. Blakley earned his third save in three attempts, striking out five and walking two while allowing one hit in three innings.
“Karsten came out and threw a good ball game. He located well and hit some spots,” Bailey said. “Blakley came in and had another save and gave us three good innings. I love having him coming in and closing games like he is.”
Senior pitcher/shortstop Landon Robinson led the 3-4 Warriors with two doubles and a single. Hayden Robinette and Gabe Mullins, two of the 13 seniors on the Pike Central roster, added two hits each.
The Bears return to action Monday at Letcher Central and travel to Rye Cove, Va., on Tuesday.
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Harlan County 002 024 1 — 9 13. 5
East Ridge 011 010 0 — 3. 7. 3
Dixon, Blakley (5) and Kelly; Robinson, Burdine (7) and Robinette. WP — Dixon (2-0). LP — Robinson. SV — Blakley (3).