When Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey called Tristan Cooper, his senior right-hander, the 13th Region’s best pitcher in the preseason it was a bold statement, especially when you consider Clay County’s Brandin Crawford is headed for the University of Louisville in the fall.
Cooper backed up his coach’s statement Friday as he tossed a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts and only one walk as he won a duel against Crawford with a 5-1 victory.
“When we come with the right mindset we can beat anyone,” Bailey said. “Tristan was locked, This was a big game for him. He stayed low in the pitch count and kept them off balance. He did a great job for us on the mound today, I’m very proud of him and the work he’s put in to get to where he is at.”
Jesse Gilbert had two singles to lead the HCHS offense. Samuel Henson, Isaac Kelly and Will Cassim added doubles. Alex Creech, Mason Himes and Aiden Craig each contributed singles.
HCHS scored twice in the second inning after loading the bases on singles by Himes and Gilbert and a walk to Gunner Burkhart. Crawford walked Craig to force in one run then Kelly followed with a sacrifice fly.
Gilbert singled with two outs in the third inning and scored on Henson’s clutch double to right.
Craig walked in the sixth inning against Grayson Hooker, the second Clay pitcher, and scored on Kelly’s double to left. Cassim added a two-out double for a 5-0 lead.
Cooper gave up a double to Johnathan Smith with one out in the second inning, then didn’t allow another hit until the sixth when Crawford led off with a single and scored on Talan Marcum’s ground out after two wild pitches.
Crawford gave up three runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and five walks in five innings. Hooker allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and two walks in two innings.
“We came out swinging the bat,” Bailey said. “Crawford is tough on the mound, and getting that many hits against a pitcher like that is a good night. We had some timely hits as well and moved some runners around with some bunts. Jesse swung the bat well tonight with two big hits. Sammy came up with a huge RBI double. Overall, I was proud of the focus and effort the boys put into the game today.”
The 13-12 Bears travel to Knox Central on Monday. The 15-11 Tigers play host to Breathitt County on Saturday.
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Harlan County 021 002 0 — 5. 8. 0
Clay County 000 001 0 — 1. 3. 2
Cooper and Kelly; Crawford, Hooker (6) and Rice. WP — Cooper (5-3). LP — Crawford.
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In losing four of their last five games, the Harlan County Black Bears have gone through their share of problems on offense. Defense, however, proved to be the biggest issue for Harlan County on Thursday in a 10-4 loss to visiting Breathitt County.
The Bears gave up nine unearned runs on eight errors as freshmen pitchers Jesse Gilbert and Zayden Casolari received very little help from their teammates.
Senior first baseman Will Cassim led the Black Bears with three singles. Aiden Craig added a triple. Isaac Kelly, Alex Creech and Gilbert had one single each.
Gilbert suffered his first loss of the season as he gave up seven runs (one earned) on six hits with one strikeout and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. Zayden Casolari allowed three runs (none earned) on three hits with one strikeout and one walk in 3 1/3 innings.
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Breathitt County 004 300 3 — 10. 9. 2
Harlan County 010 001 2 — 4. 7. 8
Gilbert, Casolari (4) and Kelly; Turner, Cox (7) and Tincher. WP — Turner. LP — Gilbert (4-1).