Losing a 7-1 lead isn’t easy.
Giving up 10 runs in an inning and still winning is even tougher.
The Harlan Green Dragons managed to accomplish both Tuesday, rallying after Middlesboro exploded with a 10-run fifth to answer with six runs in the bottom of the sixth to win 13-11 and complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Yellow Jackets.
“It took a collective effort to pull this one out,” Harlan coach Lee Freyer said. “Middlesboro is one of the most well coached teams in the region. They never gave up, even when we jumped out 7-1 they kept clawing. When they took the lead 9-7, then 11-7 I told our boys that we needed to respond. That we work too hard and that we were still in this game. And they did respond.”
Sophomore right-hander Jake Brewer restored order after the Dragons gave up 10 runs in the fifth inning, shutting out the Jackets over the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up online one hit.
Brewer also led the Dragons at the plate with a triple and single. Jared Moore drove in three runs on two singles. Chris Rouse added a double. Baylor Varner scored three runs and drove in two while adding a single. Brody Owens also had a single.
Moore started on the mound and gave up only one run on one hit over three innings with three strikeouts and three walks. Owens allowed three runs in one inning as he walked five and allowed one hit while striking out one. Aiden Johnson allowed seven runs on two hits with three walk-ins and two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning.
“Jared Moore is starting to really see the ball well and had some big hits tonight,” Freyer said. “Jake Brewer came in the game on the mound and did his job. He’s always calm and cool in the toughest of spots. He closed the door for us tonight. He did a great job. Also, Gunnar Snelling came in late in the game and earned the game ball in right field. He’s such a great kid and hard worker. He made two phenomenal catches to seal the game for us in right field. It was wonderful to see that.
“We talk a lot as a team about “it’s not how bad you want to win, but what you are willing to do to earn it.” Tonight we didn’t have our best stuff, but we grinded our way to a win.”
Malachi Coots pitched 5 1/3 innings for the Jackets, giving up 10 runs (five earned) on six hits with five strikeouts and six walks. Case Bayless allowed three unearned runs on two walks. Cayden Burchett allowed one hit and two walks while recording the final two outs.
Burchett had a huge day at the plate, driving in six runs with a triple and double. Coots drove in three runs with a double and single. Isaac Harris added one single.
The 2-12 Jackets travel to Pineville on Wednesday. The 12-6 Dragons play at Floyd Central on Saturday.
———
Middlesboro 001 0(10)0 0 — 11. 5. 5
Harlan 204 106 x — 13. 7. 2
Coots, Case Bayless (6), Burchett (6) and Colt Bayless; Moore, Owens (4), Johnson (5)m Brewer (5) and Owens, Rouse (4). WP — Brewer (). LP — Case Bayless.