BENHAM — The most successful group of Harlan Little Leaguers in a couple of decades is heading to the District 4 final four for the fourth straight time.
Harlan punched its ticket to the District 4 Tournament (ages 11-12) final four in July in Corbin with a 9-3 win Monday over Knox County. The 12-year-olds on the team advanced each of the past four years as the runner up in the eastern division, the first two years in the 9-10 level and the last two in the 11-12 level.
“It was an awesome team win. The pitching was great with Weston Nolan and Maddox Landa, and Easton (Halcomb) was a beast tonight on defense and the bat,” said Harlan All Stars coach Verlin Halcomb.
Nolan earned the win despite not having his usual control as he gave up two runs on two hits over 3 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and five walks. Landa allowed one run on two hits over 1 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and two walks.
Lakin Smith and Halcomb led the Harlan offense with two singles each. Waylon Tayler added a double. Landa and Cian Garland had one single each.
Hudson Butler led Knox County with a double and single. John Miles added a double. Zayden Cunningham had a single.
Knox scored a run in the first inning on two walks and a wild pitch, but Harlan answered with three runs in the second inning. Cian Garland walked and Isaac Combs was hit by a pitch before Taylor’s double brought in one run. Landen Spurlock followed with a sacrifice fly, then Smith singled home a run.
Halcomb and Landa had hits in the third inning before Garland’s single to left pushed the lead to 4-1.
Taylor and Spurlock walked in the fourth inning and both came home to score when Smith singled to center and took third when the ball was misplayed. Halcomb followed with an RBI single.
Four walks and an error helped Harlan add two insurance runs in the sixth inning.
Harlan and Hazard/Perry each advance to the District 4 final four starting July 7 .
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Harlan 031 320 — 9. 7. 1
Knox County 100 101 — 3. 4. 5
Nolan, Landa (4) and Combs; Mills, Taylor (4), Butler (5) and Graggs. WP — Nolan (1-0). LP — Mills.
