
(Chrissie Brassfield)
On the first Saturday of his high school baseball career, Harlan County seventh grader Logan Mills earned his first varsity win.
On the second Saturday, Mills pitched his first no-hitter.
Mills faced the minimum nine hitters in the Bears’ 15-0 three-inning win over visiting Thomas Walker, Va. Mills struck out four and walked one as he improved to 2-0.
Along with two strikeouts in each of the first two innings, Mills was helped by good defensive plays from Gunner Burkhart at third and Kayden Adams at short. The Bears turned a double play after an error in the third inning, then Mills picked off Jordan Frazier to end the top of the third inning after walking him.
“He’s throwing strikes and is working on some different pitches. He’s throwing well,” Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey said. “He had that pickoff in the third inning and does a good job shutting the running game down.”
The Black Bears collected eight hits led by Zayden Casolari and Brayden Morris with a double and single each. Carson Clark singled twice. Colby Shepherd and Kayden Adams added one single each.
“We’re trying to be more aggressive. We want to put the ball in play hard and get runners over, because we have some fast kids,” Bailey said.
Clay Cheek started on the mound for the 2-2 Pioneers, giving up eight runs on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Mason Russell allowed seven runs on three hits and three walks.
The 5-2 Bears play host to Rockcastle County on Monday.
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Thomas Walker 000 — 0. 0. 4
Harlan County 32(10) — 15. 8. 1
Cheek, Russell (3) and Medley; Mills and Smith. WP — Smith (2-0). LP — Cheek.
