A three-run fifth inning pulled the Black Bears even Saturday, but Harlan County missed three walkoff opportunities as visiting Clay County scored three runs in the 10th inning for an 8-5 win.
Aiden Wagers had an RBI triple in the 10th inning to put the Tigers ahead to stay. Clay added two insurance runs on errors.
Brennan Blevins had a double and single and Carson Clark singled twice to lead the HCHS offense. Gunner Burkhart had a double. DaShaun Smith, Chance Sturgill, Jesse Gilbert, Zayden Casolari and Kayden Adams added one single each.
Gilbert gave up four runs on 10 hits in seven innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Casolari allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk in three innings.
Clay scored four runs in the third inning with the help of four straight hits and six in the inning.
Blevins doubled in the third and scored on Sturgill’s sacrifice bunt in the bottom of third.
Blevins and Smith each had hits in the fifth inning and both scored when Clay made two errors on a ball hit by Clark, the first in fielding and the second an errant. Gilbert followed with an RBI single to tie the game.
Each team scored a run in the ninth inning. Smith walked for the Bears, then came around to score on consecutive hits by Sturgill and Clark.
The Bears return to action Monday at Corbin and play host to Letcher Central on Tuesday.
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Clay County 004 000 001 3 — 8. 14. 3
Harlan County 001 030 001 0 — 5. 10. 2
Grubb, Smith (6) and Hooker; Gilbert, Casolari (8) and Smith. WP — Smith. LP — Casolari (4-6).
