Letcher Central blew open a close game by exploding for 10 runs in the fourth inning on the way to a 16-6 win Monday over visiting Harlan County.
Harlan County led 4-2 midway through the third inning before Letcher scored four times in the third and 10 in the fourth to win the game in five innings.
Canaan Cuniff led Letcher’s 12-hit attack with four RBI on a double and two singles. Ethan Brown, Christopher Akers and Quinton Williams had two singles each. Sam Little and Jonah Little each added doubles. Kaleb Slone added a single.
Preston Halle earned the win as he gave up four runs on four hits in three innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Akers gave up two unearned runs on two hits in two innings with two strikeouts and a walk.
Tristan Cooper had half of the HCHS hits with three singles in three at bats. Nathan Shepherd added a double. Will Cassim and Liam Garland contributed singles.
Harlan County opens its home schedule Tuesday against Perry Central.
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Harlan County 202 02 — 6. 6. 2
Letcher Central 204 (10) — 16. 12. 3
C. Johnson, Garland (3), Carroll (4), Cassim (4) and Kelly; Helle, Akers (4) and J. Little. WP — Helle. LP — C. Johnson (1-2).
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Hunter Hansen pitched a two-hitter with 14 strikeouts as Jefferson County, Tenn., blanked Harlan County 3-0 on Friday in action at Sevier County, Tenn, in the Smokey Bear Easter Classic.
Josh Swanner and Zac Collett each had singles for the Bears.
Tristan Cooper suffered the loss as he gave up one run on three hits in four innings, with two strikeouts and three walks. Brayden Blakley gave up two runs (one earned) in two innings, with two strikeouts and two walks.
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Harlan County fell 15-2 to Sevier County, Tenn., in the Bears’ second game Friday.
Collett accounted for half of the HCHS hits with a double and single. Swanner and Isaac Kelly added one single each.
Colby Johnson suffered the loss for the Bears as he gave up six runs in one-plus innings on the mound. Nate Shepherd allowed three runs in 2 1/3 innings. Shawn Carroll, Will Cassim and Karsten Dixon pitched in the final inning.
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Harlan County fell 12-0 to Seymour, Tenn., in tournament action Saturday. Luke Farragut held the Bears to two hits as Alex Creech and Karsten Dixon had singles. Farragut struck out seven and walked one.
Dixon suffered the loss as he gave up 11 runs in one-plus inning on the mound. Liam Garland allowed one run on three hits in three innings, with six strikeouts and three walks.
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Harlan County 000 000 0 — 0. 2. 1
Jefferson County 010 011 x — 3. 4. 0
Cooper, Blakley (5) and Kelly; Hansen and Stitner. WP — Hanson. LP — Cooper (0-1).
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Harlan County 011 00 — 2. 5. 2
Sevier County 420 9x — 15. 3. 1
Johnson, Shepherd (2), Carroll (4), Cassim (4), Dixon (4) and Kelly; Greene, Shannon (5) and xxx. WP — Greene. LP — Johnson (1-1).
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Harlan County 000 00 — 0. 2. 2
Seymour 480 0x — 12. 7. 3
Dixon, Garland (2) and Kelly; Farragut and Geringer. WP — Farragut. LP — Dixon (0-1).