Harlan’s run through the 13th Region All “A” Classic ended one game short of the school’s first title as freshman Cayden Farmer pitched a two-hitter as Jackson County won 8-1 Friday in the finals at McKee.
“I’m proud of the team’s effort. They never give up. We played hard to the final out,” Harlan coach Lee Freyer said. “You have to tip your hat to Jackson County. They played a complete ballgame.”
Farmer struck out the first seven Dragons he faced and ended with 11 strikeouts and no walks as he pitched a complete game.
Andrew Roark broke up the no-hitter with a single to open the sixth inning. Aiden Johnson added a single later in the inning.
Dawson Irvin suffered the loss as he gave up six runs (four earned) on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks in five innings. Jared Moore allowed two runs on three hits in one inning.
Canaan Browning led the Generals with two doubles. Elijah Jones added a double and single and drove in three runs. Kolby Wells had a double. Brayden Thomas added a single and scored three runs. Kyle Perkins, Kaleb Gentry and Tate Truett contributed one single each.
Freyer said the tournament experience would help his team as the season progresses.
“I love my team. I told them it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon and playing these big games in this type of atmosphere get you ready for the postseason,” he said. “It’s not always “W”in/“L”ose, to me it’s more “W”in or “L”earn.”
The 4-5 Green Dragons return to action Saturday at McCreary Central.
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Harlan 000 001 0 — 1. 2. 1
Jackson County 102 032 x — 8. 9. 0
Irvin, Moore (6) and Lewis; Farmer and Browning. WP — Farmer. LP — Irvin (1-2).