LOG MOUNTAIN — Already known as one of the region’s top quarterbacks in the fall and guards in the winter, Bell County sophomore Blake Burnett has joined the list of the 13th Region’s elite pitchers.
Burnett scattered five hits Monday as Bell County all but clinched the 52nd District’s top seed with a 3-0 win over visiting Harlan County. He struck out 10 and walked only one.
“Blake was lights out tonight, probably as good as I’ve seen him this year,” Bell County coach Jeff Sziksai said. “He was really efficient with under 100 pitches and had command of his pitches. They had a hard time squaring him up. He was just masterful tonight.”
Burnett won a pitchers’ duel with Harlan County’s Tristan Cooper, who gave up only four hits but struggled with command at times as he walked six while striking out eight.
“Cooper was equally good tonight,” Sziksai said. “We got a few bounces that went our way tonight and put a little pressure on them. We were able to scratch a few runs, but their guy matches Blake pretty much. Two guard arms there, and we were fortunate to get a couple more than them.”
Harlan County made three errors and each led to one of the Bell runs.
“We made some mental errors tonight that hurt us,” Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey said. “We have to be better.”
Cooper Brock and Burnett had one-out hits in the opening inning, then scored on consecutive infield errors by Will Cassim and Aiden Craig for a 2-0 lead that stood up until the sixth inning.
Austin Goodin singled with one out, then Brody Hensley walked. Daniel Thomas laid down a bunt that Cooper fielded, and his throw to third was in time for a force out but Gunner Burkhart dropped the ball before recording an out, allowing the final run to score.
Brock, Burnett, Thomas and Goodin had singles for the 11-4 Bobcats, who have won six straight. The Bobcats were 4-25 a year ago.
Jesse Gilbert, Samuel Henson, Cooper, Isaac Kelly and Alex Creech had hits for the 11-9 Bears, who fell to 3-2 in district action.
Harlan County had its best scoring opportunity in the sixth, loading the bases with two outs as Creech singled and Cooper walked before Mason Himes hit a shot to center that Thomas caught near the fence.
“We hit the ball well in Tennessee on Friday with 20 hits in two games, but we watched too many strikes go by tonight. We know that, but for some reason we were guessing today,” Bailey said. “There is no excuse for it. If we have the right mindset we can win some games. Hats off to Burnett for throwing a great game tonight though. We had runners in scoring positon, and we have to produce in those situations. I have to figure it out.”
The two teams meet against Tuesday at HCHS.
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Harlan County 000 000 0 — 0. 4. 3
Bell County 200 001 x — 3. 3. 1
Cooper and Kelly; Burnett and Brigmon. WP — Burnett. LP — Cooper (4-3).