After losing five starters to graduation from last year’s 16-15 team, the Harlan County Black Bears have spent the offseason looking for offense.
After a season-opening 5-0 loss to visiting Clay County on Friday, the Bears are still looking.
Talan Marcum and Jon Smith dominated the HCHS lineup as Marcum gave up two hits and one walk with two strikeouts over four innings to earn the win. Smith had a save with three hitless innings that included three strikeouts and one walk.
Gunner Burkhart singled in the second inning, and Zayden Casolari singled in the fourth for the HCHS hits.
Clay took a 1-0 lead in the second as HCHS starter Alex Creech had a hit batsman and walk before a wild pitch plated in the first run.
Ethan Jackson singled in the third inning and scored on Smith’s sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead.
Mason Roark walked to open a three-run fourth inning, then moved to third on Aiden Lovett’s hit and scored when Creech was late to cover home plate on a wild pitch. Jackson singled in a run and Aiden Roberts brought in the final run with a sacrifice fly.
Creech gave up five runs on two hits with five strikeouts and four walks in three-plus innings. Casolari allowed two hits with two strikeouts and no walks in three innings. Carson Clark pitched one shutout inning with two strikeouts and two hits allowed.
The Bears return to action Monday at Shelby Valley.
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Clay County 011 300 0 — 5. 6. 0
Harlan County 000 000 0 — 0.2. 0
Marcum, Smith (5) and B. Hooker; Creech, Casolari (4), Clark (7) and Smith, Lloyd (7). WP — Marcum. LP — Creech (0-2). SV — Smith.