Playing from behind all night after an early 6-0 deficit, the Harlan County Black Bears led only once Thursday against visiting Letcher Central, but it was at the most perfect time. The Bears walked off with a 12-11 win when Gunner Burkhart ripped a bases-loaded single into center field for the tying and winning runs to cap the gutsiest performance of the season for an HCHS team that has struggled all year to find any offense.
“We got down early, and you never know how a young team will handle that, but they fought the whole game. The hitting came alive, and we’ve been waiting on that all year. We finally put it together,” Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey said. “I’m really proud of these young guys. We got down early, but they battled. I thought our kids in the dugout stayed positive, and we have some guys there who have been in and out of the lineup all year. I think that shows a lot of character.”
Kayden Adams opened the seventh inning with a one-out double to right field. Jaydon Wright came on to pitch at that point and walked DaShaun Smith and gave up an infield single off his glove to Aiden Craig. Burkhart found himself in an early 0-2 hole before fouling off a pitch to set up his game-winning hit.
“Gunnar came up with a couple of huge hits after getting hit for early in the game,” Bailey said. “He really stepped up when we needed it.”
Gunnar Johnson led the Bears’ 17-hit attack with three singles and two RBI in four at bats. Craig had a triple and single. Jessie Gilbert and Adams each added a double and single. Burkhart singled twice. Smith and Zayden Casolari each added one single.
Casolari earned his second win of the season against the Cougars as he gave up one run on five hits with one strikeout and no walks in three innings. Gilbert allowed nine runs on nine hits in four-plus innings, with two strikeouts and two walks.
“I think Zayden gets up for them with his brother over there. I thought Gibby pitched well but gave up some bloops. He kept his composure and went as long as he could,” Bailey said.
Keaton Maggard started on the mound for the Cougars and allowed five runs on five hits In three-plus innings. Brayden Casolari, Zayden’s older brother and a regional golf champion at HCHS in the fall, allowed four runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings. Dawson KIncer allowed one run on two hits in two innings. Wright allowed two hits and suffered the loss as he faced three batters.
Quinton Williams led Letcher on offense with a triple and double for two RBI. Kolby Johnson doubled twice. Jayden Wright added a double and single. Kincer, Maggard and Canaan Harrell had two singles each. Andrew Little contributed a double. Clay Hall added a single.
The 6-17 Bears close their regular season schedule Friday at home against North Laurel. The 13-12 Cougars play Jenkins on Monday in the first round of the 53rd District Tournament.
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Craig and Alex Creech were honored before the game as the only HCHS seniors. Creech threw out the ceremonial pitch after being sidelined for the remainder of the year because he suffered a knee injury at Harlan last month.
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Letcher Central 600 131 0 — 11. 14. 3
Harlan County 012 250 2 — 12. 13. 3
Maggard, B. Casolari (4), Vincer (5), Wright (7) and Little; Gilbert, Z. Casolari (5) and Smith. WP — Z. Casolari (4-4). LP — Wright.