CORBIN — What is believed to be the deepest postseason run for the Harlan All Stars in at least (ages 11-12) 19 years ended Wednesday on game short of the District 4 Tournament finals with an 18-8 loss to Knox County.
Knox County scored four runs in the first inning and stayed on top the rest of the evening. Harlan scratched back to within 6-3 after four innings and 9-5 after five before Knox blew it open with a nine-run sixth inning.
“The deep run speaks for itself. This group of boys is a talented bunch, but we often forget they are so young, and our pitchers struggled for the first time all tournament,” Harlan All Stars coach Steven Johnson said. “Not taking anything from Knox. They had timely hitting with bases loaded and got runs across the board, and we left them loaded twice early on. That could have shifted the momentum in our favor, but it didn’t happen tonight. When you have a season when you can advance and beat the likes of a Hazard and Corbin is nothing to take lightly. Those two programs are always amazing with talent. I was hoping to go a little further, but we were blessed to make it as far as we did. I’m extremely proud of them.”
Leadoff hitter Konner Gray had a huge game for Knox with a single, double and two triples. Landon Graggs hit a pair of two-run homers — an inside-the-park liner in the fifth inning and a shot over the fence in left in the sixth. Cooper Stacy added a double and single. Jase Lake had a double. Gunner Grabs and Conner Trent had singles.
Bryson Millis led the Harlan All Stars with a double and single. Maddox Landa and Deacon Lisenbee had doubles. Kolbi Green, Seth Johnson, Grant Caldwell and Maddox Helton added singles.
Brylee Southerland started on the mound after winning the opening game of tournament play against Middlesboro Pineville Bell, but struggled with control as he walked four and gave up four runs over two-thirds of an inning. Landa allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Weston Nolan walked all three batters he faced in the sixth inning and allowed three runs. Green allowed six runs on three hits and two walks in one-third of an inning. Lakin Smith retired both batters he faced.
Knox County will play North Laurel in the championship game on Thursday. Knox County has to win twice to win the double-elimination tournament.
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Knox County 420 039 — 18. 12. 1
Harlan 110 123 — 8. 8. 0
Grabs, Foley (1), Truett (4), Mills (6) and Taylor; Southerland, Landa (1), Nolan (6), Green (6), Smith (6) and Helton. WP — Foley. LP — Southerland. HR — Graggs 2.
