Junior right hander Zayden Casolari won for the third time in the young season as the Harlan County Black Bears overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat visiting Leslie County 5-2 on Thursday.
Casolari scattered eight hits while allowing only one earned run as he pitched a complete game with four strikeouts and no walks.
“Zayden was on today, locating well, keeping them off balance,” Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey said. “Biggest thing if you look isn’t the strikeouts, it’s no walks. That alone can win you a lot of games, so I’m very proud of him for that. He stayed low in the pitch count and he knew we were short staffed tonight. He wanted to go the distance and did a great job. I’m very proud of him.”
Brayden Morris and Kayden Adams led the HCHS offense with a double and single each. Carson Clark singled twice. DaShaun Smith, Gunner Burkhart, Casolari and Jesse Gilbert added one single each.
Leslie scored single runs in the first and third innings. Harlan County answered with a run in the bottom of the third. Smith and Gilbert led off with hits before Smith scored on a ground out by Burkhart.
Adams beat out a bunt single to open the fourth and took second on the throw. Morris followed with an RBI single.
Clark, Burkhart and Casolari each had hits in the fourth inning to put the Bears up 3-2.
Doubles by Adams and Morris produced a run in the fifth inning. Morris eventually scored on an error.
“Our bottom of the lineup has been producing all year so far, whether it’s hits or just finding a way to get on base they’re doing that,” Bailey said. “Walks and putting the ball in play are tough on teams when you can run. It makes it easy for the top of the lineup up when they get on moving runners over. We came out aggressive and swinging the bat and only had one strike out tonight, i was pleased with how they attacked it today. It was a great team win tonight, and I’m very proud of these boys.”
Harlan County (4-2) returns to Friday at home against Shelby Valley.
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Harlan County split two games in action from the 2A Section 7 Tournament, defeating McCreary Central 8-3 in the semifinals before falling 15-0 to Whitley County in the championship game Wednesday.
Gunner Burkhart and Zayden Casolari led the Bears against McCreary with a double and single each. Jesse Gilbert, Brayden Morris and Carson Clark added one single each.
Casolari earned the win as he pitched four shutout innings. Gilbert earned the save as he pitched the final three innings.
Aiden Lewis had the only hit for the Bears against Whitley County. Clark suffered the loss on the mound. Gavvin Lloyd also pitched for HCHS.
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Leslie County 101 000 0 — 2. 8. 1
Harlan County 001 112 x — 5. 10 2
Crisp, Holland (4) and Caldwell; Casolari and Smith. WP — Casolari (3-0). LP — Holland.
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McCreary Central 000 020 1 — 3. 5. 2
Harlan County 011 105 x — 8. 7. 1
Kennedy, Egnew (4), Irvin (6) and West; Casolari, Gilbert (5) and Smith. WP — Casolari (2-0). LP — Kennedy. Sv — Gilbert 2.
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Harlan County 000 — 0. 1. 2
Whitley County (15)00 — 15. 7. 0
Clark, Lloyd (1) and Smith; Parman, Wilson (3) and Bargo. WP — Parman. LP — Clark (0-2).
