A week after clinching their first 20-win season in 10 years, the Harlan Green Dragons earned their first district tournament victory in nine years with a dominating 11-3 win Monday over Harlan County in the first round of the 52nd District Tournament at Bell County High School.
Sophomore right-hander Baylor Varner cruised through 6 2/3 innings before reaching the pitch limit as he allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits with 14 strikeouts and four walks. Jared Moore recorded the final out.
“It was a great team win tonight. We executed all seven innings. All of our guys played with passion and played for each other,” Harlan coach Lee Freyer said. “We reached 20 wins the other night, which I believe is the highest total for a team in Harlan since HC won 22 back in 15. That milestone was great, but we knew we still had unfinished business. Harlan hasn’t been to region since 2015, and we wanted to change that narrative. These young men are the foundation to building a winning program here. “I am extremely proud of the effort, intensity and work ethic of all these young men.
Varner also led the Harlan offense with a double and two singles, driving in two runs and scoring two. Eli Freyer and Jared Moore added two singles each. Brody Owens and Aiden Johnson added one single each.
“Baylor had another stellar outing for us on the mound. He had command of his pitches all night and really plays with an elite level of confidence,” Freyer said. “Our defense played great behind him all night. When we do that, I feel like we can absolutely play with anyone.”
Alex Creech led the 16-15 Bears with a double. Tristan Cooper and Jesse Gilbert contributed singles.
Cooper suffered the loss as he gave up seven runs (six earned) on only four hits, but he could not overcome seven walks to go with nine strikeouts. Creech allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits in one inning. Gilbert pitched one shutout inning with a strikeout and a walk. Zayden Casolari allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts in one inning.
“We knew Tristan Cooper is a really talented pitcher. Our guys really focused at the plate and remained disciplined. We focused on hitting fastballs and letting the breaking stuff go. We wanted to hunt the fastball all night,” Freyer said. “We got Tristan deep into some counts where we could swing at the pitches we wanted.”
Harlan will play Bell County on Tuesday at 7 for the 52nd District title. The Bobcats won both regular season meetings. The Dragons are making their first appearance in the district finals since defeating Harlan County 5-4 in the 2015 championship game. Harlan defeated Middlesboro in the 2007 finals. The Dragons haven’t lost a district championship game since falling to Cumberland in 2005.
———
Harlan 140 140 1 — 11. 9. 1
Harlan County 200 010 0 — 3. 3. 2
Varner, Moore (7) and Owens; Cooper, Creech (5), Gilbert (6), Casolari (7) and Kelly. WP — Varner (5-4). LP — Cooper (6-5).