Errors, both physical and mental, continued to haunt the Harlan County Black Bears in their 1-11 start to open the 2022 season.
Three costly errors in the third inning led to four unearned runs as Knott Central overcame an early 2-1 deficit to pull ahead on the way to a 9-3 victory. HCHS had six errors for the game.
Kizer Turner limited the Bears to two runs in six innings on the mound, striking out nine and walking three while making several nice defensive plays to take away hits.
Ethan Gayheart and Cody Isaacs each had two hits to lead the Knott offense.
Isaac Kelly led the Bears with a double and single. Jonah Swanner, Braydon Burton and Will Cassim added one single each.
Burton and Cassim each had hits in the opening inning, but Burton was cut down trying to advance to third on Cassim’s hit.
Kelly had an RBI double in the second inning and Swanner drove in a run with a fielder’s choice ground out that almost turned into a double play at the plate. Daven Johnson was safe when the Knott catcher didn’t make the tag at the plate after the force was taken out following an out at third.
Knott scored four runs in the third, including two on one play when the Bears failed to cover first on a grounder past the mound, then gave up another run by failing to cover the plate during the confusion.
The Patriots added three runs in the seventh inning, all with two outs.
Brayden Blakley gave up six runs (two earned) in four innings on the mound, with five strikeouts and no walks. Shawn Carroll gave up three runs on three hits in three innings
The Black Bears return to action Tuesday at Hazard and play at Knott Central on Thursday before playing host to Leslie County on Friday.
———
Knott Central 104 100 3 — 9. 8. 1
Harlan County 020 000 1 — 3. 5. 6
Turner, Collins (7) and Hall; Blakley, Carroll (5) and Kelly. WP — Turner. LP — Blakley (1-1).