
A makeshift lineup by the Harlan County Black Bears made Senior Night a little more interesting than coach Scotty Bailey probably wanted as the Bears edged visiting Barbourville 12-11 on Friday in the regular season finale for both teams.
Brennan Blevins walked to start the sixth inning, then moved to third on two balks before Chance Sturgill brought him home with a sacrifice bunt for what turned out to be the winning run.
“Tonight we had a brand new lineup and all seniors started. It was an awesome thing to see,” Bailey said. “These boys have given me some great years, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of them. They are a big group, and a lot of the times some kids don’t finish the race, but these nine did, and I couldn’t be more proud. So, tonight all of them earned a start and some played positions and pitched that never have before, I’m just proud of them and their efforts day in and day out. When the game got close they didn’t stress. A few got in there and did what they had to do and got it done. It was fun to watch them compete.”
Colston Boggs led the Bears with two singles. Brennan Blevins drove in three runs and scored three as he tripled. Aiden Lewis had a double. DaShaun Smith added a single.
Smith, normally the Bears’ starting catcher, gave up four runs as the starting pitcher. Blevins allowed six runs on three hits with eight walks and five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Logan Mills allowed one run, one hit, walked two and struck out one as he recorded two outs. Carson Clark earned the win as he allowed no hits or runs with three strikeouts and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.
Jordan Mills and Caden Miracle each had two hits and combined for five RBI to lead the 0-27 Tigers.
Harlan County (12-16) will play Harlan on Tuesday in the 52nd District Tournament at Harlan.
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Barbourville 420 131 0 — 11. 5. 1
Harlan County 641 001 x — 12. 5. 1
Mills, Walker (2), Carr (4) and Frazier; Smith, Blevins (1), Mills (5), Clark (6) and Hensley, Smith (1). WP — Clark (1-6). LP — Carr.
