Senior Aiden Lewis pitched a four-hitter to earn the win on the mound as the Harlan County Bears capitalized on four errors to knock off visiting Shelby Valley 6-1 on Friday.
Lewis struck out four and walked one while allowing only one unearned run over six innings.
The Bears’ offensive problems continued in the win as Brayden Morris and Kayden Adams each had singles for the only two HC hits.
Harlan County broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the fourth inning. Morris opened the inning with a walk and Chance Sturgill was hit by a pitch. Morris scored on an error, then Jesse Gilbert brought in a run with a ground out. Two more runs scored on errors.
DaShaun Smith was hit by a pitch and Morris beat out a bunt single in the fifth inning. Smith scored on a double steal with Morris. Carson Clark came home on another double steal.
Shelby Valley scored a run in the sixth and three in the seventh before Lewis worked out of trouble with the go-ahead run at the plate.
“I thought Aiden threw well from the first pitch tonight. He was locating really well and kept them off balance,” Harlan County coach Scotty Bailey said. “We made some plays behind him tonight, and that helps keep his pitch count down. He’s got better as the season has went on, and I’m very proud of him. He’s having a great year on the mound.”
The 9-12 Bears play at Clay County on Monday
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Shelby Valley 000 001 3 — 4. 7. 4
Harlan County 000 420 x — 6. 2. 3
Varney and Jones; Lewis and Smith. WP — Lewis (2-1). LP — Varney.
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Carson Clark gave up only one earned run and six hits in a complete-game effort, but the Bears were limited to four hits in a 3-0 loss Thursday at Leslie County.Clark struck out seven and walked two.
Clark also led the HC offense with a double. DaShaun Smith, Gunner Burkhart and Brayden Morris had singles.
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Harlan County 000 000 0 — 0. 4. 2
Leslie County 011 010 x — 3. 6. 3
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Harlan County rolled to a 7-1 win over Shelby Valley in junior varsity action.
Byron Shepherd pitched one shutout inning, giving up one hit while striking out three and walking one. Elijah Creech gave up one unearned run on one hit with three strikeouts and two walks in two innings to earn the win.
Logan Mills, Andrew Vance, Jackson Mackowiak and Shepherd each recorded one hit.
