The Harlan All-Stars (11-12) scored in every inning but one on the way to posting a 12-3 win over Pineville/Bell in the opening game of the District 4 Tournament (east division) on Thursday at Barbourville.
Gabriel Helton led Harlan’s nine-hit attack with two singles. Cooper Thomas added a double. Brantley McArthur, Bentley Howard, Isaac Noe, Myles Jenkins, Brantley Burkhart and Logan Mills had one single each.
Helton started on the mound for Harlan and pitched one shutout inning with two strikeouts. Thomas pitched 1 1/3 innings, recording four strikeouts. Mills earned the win as he gave up three runs in 3 2/3 innings while striking out five.
Harlan grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Thomas, Helton, Mills and Carter Caldwell all reached base on walks.
McArthur singled and Jackson Mackowiak walked to start a two-run second inning. Thomas, Helton and Nate Thomas drew walks.
Noe, Jenkins and Howard had singles in a two-run third inning that pushed the lead to 7-0.
Burkhart, Helton and Mills had singles and scored in the fourth inning as the lead grew to 10-0.
Thomas doubled and Helton singled in the sixth inning and both scored.
Harlan will play Knox County on Friday at 6 p.m. in the winners bracket semifinals.
———
Harlan 322 302 — 12
Pineville 000 300 — 3