Coming off a pair of hard-fought losses to Bell County earlier in the week, the Harlan County Black Bears bounced back Thursday with a 15-7 win at Pike Central.
Locked in a 5-5 tie through three innings, HCHS took control with a five-run third inning to give freshman Jesse Gilbert his fourth win in four decisions. Gilbert gave up seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits with nine strikeouts and three walks.
Isaac Kelly scored five runs from the leadoff spot with two hits. Will Cassim added three hits and three runs scored. Gunnar Johnson added a double and single. Tristan Cooper singled twice. Gunner Burkhart had a triple. Gilbert drove in three runs as he singled. Brennan Blevins also added a single.
The 12-10 Bears travel to Lee, Va., on Monday.
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Harlan County 131 520 3 — 15. 12. 6
Pike Central 104 000 2 — 7. 10. 4
Gilbert and Kelly; Shearer, Hicks (3), Compton (4), Robinson (5), Crum (7) and Mouton. WP — Gilbert 4-0.