Junior right-hander Jared Moore pitched a two-hitter over five innings with nine strikeouts and no walks as Harlan ran its record to 2-0 with 9-0 win over visiting Thomas Walker, Va., on Friday.
Eli Freyer had two strikeouts and one walk as he recorded two outs. Aiden Johnson struck out all hitters he faced to complete the shutout.
Johnson led the Dragons at the plate with a double and single. Beck Bryson added a double. Moore and Jake Brewer contributed one single each.
McCurry and Collins had the only hits for Thomas Walker.
“Jared did a great job of getting ahead of hitters in his five innings of work. You are much harder to hit off of when the hitter doesn’t know what’s coming. He kept them off balance through five innings on only 50 pitches. He was very efficient for us today,” Harlan coach Lee Freyer said. “I’m proud of the way he composes himself, and the way he competes every day.”
The Dragons play host to Floyd Central on Saturday.
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Thomas Walker, Va. 000 000 0 — 0. 2. 4
Harlan 213 003 x — 9. 5. 0
McCurry, Cheek (6) and Cheek, Robinson (6); Moore, Freyer (6), Johnson (6) and Owens. WP — Moore 1-0. LP — McCurry.
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Clay County senior right-hander Brandin Crawford, headed to the University of Louisville as one of the state’s top pitchers, struck out nine, walked two and allowed only one hit over five innings as the visiting Tigers raced to a 6-0 lead on the way to a 7-4 victory Thursday at Harlan County.
Crawford also had a big day at the plate, driving in three runs on two hits.
Will Cassim, Ales Creech, Tristan Cooper and Aiden Craig had one hit each for the 1-2 Bears. Cassim drove in two runs.
Josh Duckworth, a junior, gave up six runs (five earned) on five hits over two innings with one strikeout and one walk. Freshman Zayden Casolari was impressive in relief as he allowed one unearned run on three hits over five innings with two strikeouts and two walks.
The Bears travel to Whitley County on Saturday to face the defending state champs as well as Southwestern.
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Clay County 222 000 1 — 7. 8. 1
Harlan County 000 002 2 — 4. 4. 3
Crawford, Marcum (6) and Rice; Duckworth, Casolari (3) and Kelly. WP — Crawford. LP — Duckworth (0-1).
