Harlan County rallied from deficits of 3-0 and 5-2 but fell 6-5 in eight innings to visiting Knox Central on Thursday.
The Panthers scored the winning run in the top of the eighth as Brayden Hembree led off with a double and scored on Cayden Collins’ two-out single to left.
Harlan County forced extra innings on Jonah Swanner’s clutch two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Brayden Blakley and Swanner each had two hits to lead the Bears. Tristan Cooper, Alex Creech and Isaac Kelly added one hit each.
Hembree had a double and two singles to lead the Panthers. Bryce Imel and Collins added two singles each. Austin Bargo had a double. Casey Bright added a single.
Grant Miller allowed two runs on two hits in five innings on the mound. Bargo allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings. Collins gave up three runs on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Cooper, Blakley and Creech each pitched 2 2/3 innings for the Bears. Cooper gave up three runs on three hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Blakley allowed two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Creech allowed one run on two hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
Harlan County returns to action Saturday at Clay County.
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Knox Central 102 002 01 — 6. 9 1
Harlan County 000 021 20 — 5. 8. 3
Miller, Collins (6), Bargo (7) and Imel; Cooper, Blakley (3), Creech (6) and Kelly. WP — Bargo. LP — Creech (0-1).