Four innings with no run support was no problem for Harlan sophomore Baylor Varner on Monday in the quarterfinals of the 13th Region All “A” Classic at Middlesboro.
Varner just putting up zeroes until his offense caught up and the Jackets moved on with a 6-0 victory. Varner struck out 12 and walked only one.
Donovan Montanaro, Varner Chris Rouse, Brody Owens and Jake Brewer had one hit each for the 5-1 Dragons.
‘Baylor was dominant on the mound tonight. He is locating well and did a great job mixing up his pitches. He’s just a fierce competitor. I’m so proud of his effort and leadership,” Harlan coach Lee Freyer said. “Brody Owens did a really good job calling the game behind the plate. When he and Baylor get on the same page like they were tonight, they are a pretty good combination.”
Harlan broke open a scoreless game with three runs in the fifth inning. Owens led off with a single and moved to third on an error. Brewer brought in the first run when he reached on an error on a bunt. Brewer scored on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead. Varner singled, then moved to second on Montanaro’s hit and scored on a passed ball.
Brewer singled to begin the seventh, then Varner walked and Montanaro was hit by a pitch. Eli Freyer’s sacrifice fly pushed in a run. Chris Rouse brought in the fifth run with a ground out. Montanaro scored on a wild pitch.
“This bunch played seven innings of error free baseball. We made some really tough plays,” Freyer said. “Jake Brewer made a great diving catch on a bunt and Eli stepped up and made a great play behind third on a fly ball. With the sun being where it is at Middlesboro, that was a really difficult play. We’ve talked about execution and how pivotal that can be in any game. Tonight we executed well and got the win.
“Offensively we just kept competing. We got in some favorable counts and got some better pitches to hit after seeing (Case) Bayless a few times through the lineup. Jake provided us with a spark with his squeeze in the fifth. That execution got us rolling. “
Case Bayless gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits in five innings on the mound for Middlesboro, with nine strikeouts and two walks. Kam Wilson allowed three runs on one hit with four strikeouts and two walks in two innings.
Wilson had the only hit for the Jackets.
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Harlan 000 030 3 — 6. 5. 0
Middlesboro 000 000 0 — 0. 1. 3
Varner and Owens; Case Bayless, WIlson (6) and Colt Bayless. WP — Varner. LP — Case Bayless.