BARBOURVILLE — Walking through the dugout while his team struggled in its first at bats against Middlesboro-Pineville-Bell pitching, Harlan All Stars coach Steven Johnson predicted better luck the second time though the lineup.
Third-inning home runs by Kolbi Green and Brylee Southerland ignited a five-run explosion that made their coach look prophetic and sent Harlan to a 10-3 victory in the opening game of the District 4 Tournament (East Division) on Friday at Barbourville.
“We adjusted. A lot of times at this age they struggle the first time through, but this group is really good at adjusting. It’s one of the better hitting teams I’ve coached,” Johnson said. “Those home runs really set us apart. That was Kolbi’s first home run even though he’s been close several times. Brylee is just a good power hitter. That set the tone.”
Harlan’s power display was more than enough for Southerland on the mound as he struck out 10, walked three and allowed only one run over 3 2/3 hitless innings.
“Brylee pitched a wonderful game. He kept us in the game while we were adjusting on offense,” Johnson said.
Maddox Landa gave up one run on three his over 1 2/3 innings, with two strikeouts and no walks. Green allowed one run on one hit with one strikeout as he recorded the final two outs.
Southerland also led the Harlan offense with a homer and single. Green had a home run. Lakin Smith, Weston Nolan and Deacon Lisenbee each contributed singles.
Kenton Burnett led MPB with an RBI double. Brody Sanders, Chance Woody and L.B. Land had singles.
Sanders started on the mound, giving up five runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks over three innings. Bently Owens gave up three runs on three walks and one strikeout over one-third of an inning. Dawson Creech allowed one run on four walks. Jace Baker pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run on no his with one strikeout and no walks.
Lisenbee started the Harlan third with a single. Maddox Helton walked before Green ripped a three-run blast over the fence in right-center. Seth Johnson was hit by a pitch with two outs before Southerland followed with a two-run homer.
Harlan scored four runs in the fourth inning with the help of seven walks by three MPB pitchers.
Southerland singled to open the sixth inning and scored when Nolan’s line drive to short was misplayed for an error.
Owens walked to open the fourth for MPB and scored on Sanders’ two-out RBI single.
Carson Ford and Owens each reached on errors in the sixth inning to plate one run. Burnett’s double closed the scoring as Green retired the final two MBP hitters.
Harlan advances to the semifinals and will play Tri-City on Saturday at 2 p.m. Knox County will play Hazard/Perry at 4 p.m. Hazard/Perry routed Leslie County 16-0 in the second game Friday.
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MPB 000 102 — 3. 3. 2
Harlan 005 41x — 10. 6. 3
Sanders, Owens (4), Creech (4), Baker (4) and Baker, Burnett (4). WP — Southerland (1-0). LP — Sanders (0-1). HR — Harlan, Green, Southerland.