One was easy, and one went down to the last play as the Harlan County baseball and softball teams celebrated Senior Night with a pair of victories Thursday.
Tristan Cooper pitched a no-hitter in his final home game as the Bears coasted to a 12-0 five-inning win over Williamsburg. The Lady Bears overcame a big performance by Knox Central shortstop Jayme Swafford to win 5-4 on Halanah Shepherd’s hit in the seventh inning to drive home Jenna Wilson.
———
Cooper struck out seven and walked two as he threw only 59 pitches and faced one batter over the minimum.
“I’m so proud of Coop. He’s really worked for everything he’s gotten. The plan was to pull him at 50 pitches, but to go out with a no-hitter at home is pretty awesome, so it took him eight more pitches,” Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey said. “I’m OK with that. He deserved that accolade. “
After a slow start offensively, the Bears blew the game open with six runs in the third inning and five in the fourth.
Will Cassim, one of five seniors honored before the game, led the Bears with two doubles and a single in three at bats. Alex Creech singled twice. Isaac Kelly, Cooper, Mason Himes, Samuel Henson and Chance Sturgill added singles. Aiden Craig had a sacrifice fly.
“I thought we swung the bat better tonight,” Bailey said. “We were popping a few things up early and hitting it at them, but finally started to find the gaps and hit the ball hard. That’s what you want rolling into district, I thought Alex Creech hitting the ball hard up the middle started to set the tone for us. Will hit the ball hard in the gaps.”
Jacob Jones gave up five runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. Hayden Kleinert allowed seven runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings for the 2-21 Jackets.
Cooper, Himes, Henson, Cassim and Kelly were the Harlan County seniors honored.
“These five seniors have really set a bar for our young guys to strive to get too — not just on the field but how they are great young men off the field,” Bailey said. “They show the type of character we want here at Harlan County — great ball players on the field, but even better young men off the field. I appreciate all the hard work they have put in and how much they mean to our program.”
The 16-14 Bears play Harlan on Monday in the 52nd District Tournament at Bell County.
———
Shepherd had three hits to lead the Lady Bears, including the game-winner to right field in the bottom of the seventh after WIlson had walked and took second on a wild pitch. Lesleigh Brown had a two-run double while Brittleigh Estep added an RBI single. Wilson, Brown, Estep and Rylie Maggard, who made a tough catch on a drive hit by Swafford in the top of the seventh, were the HCHS seniors honored before the game.
Alexis Adams pitched a complete game for the Lady Bears, striking out nine and walking two while giving up five hits.
Estep’s hit gave Harlan County an early 1-0 lead, but Knox moved ahead on Swafford’s three-run blast to left center in the third inning. All three runs were unearned when an errant throw from third on a ball hit Blakely Estep kept the inning alive with two outs.
Brown’s double put the Lady Bears back on top in the bottom of the inning, but Knox pulled even in the fifth when Swafford tripled on a drive to deep center, then scored on Aubrey Jones’ hit.
Castle pitched a complete game for the 6-24 Lady Panthers as she struck out two and walked four.
“Ending the regular season on a win is a great way to go into the district tournament,” Harlan County coach Shelby Engle Burton said. “We had a difficult start to the season, but these girls have persevered. I like where this team is heading in to next week.
The 13-18 Lady Bears will play host to Bell County on Monday at 6 p.m. in the opening game of the 52nd District Tournament.
———
Williamsburg 000 00 — 0. 0. 6
Harlan County 106 5x — 12. 10. 0
Jones, Kleinert (3) and Sizemore; Cooper and Kelly. WP — Cooper (6-4). LP — Jones.
———
Knox Central 003 010 0 — 4. 5. 3
Harlan County 103 000 1 — 5. 5. 3
Castle and Melton; Adams and Burton. WP — Adams (13-9). LP — Castle. HR — Knox Central: Swafford.