LONDON — North Laurel improved to 16-12 while posting a 7-1 mark during its past eight games after defeating both Pulaski County, and Southwestern during Saturday’s Jon Hooker Memorial Classic.
“This was a great weekend weather-wise to play the Jon Hooker Memorial and play the old 48th district teams NL, SL, Somerset, Pulaski and southwestern. We were in a dog fight with Southwestern pulling out the win with the pitching of Blaize Jones and Andrew Cupp.
“The first game was a close game as well but we were able to score a few more runs behind a three-run home run by Walt Hellard,” he added. “Chase Keen led the way hitting with three hits on the day and EJ Allen and Walt Hellard each had two hits. EJ Allen pitched 6 2/3 innings and Andrew Cupp pitched and got the last out of the game. Great weekend to represent Jon Hooker.”
Jon Hooker Memorial Classic
Game Two
North Laurel 11, Pulaski County 8
Walt Hellard had a home run, two hits, four RBI, and two runs scored to help guide the Jaguars past Pulaski County, 11-8.
North Laurel held a comfortable 11-2 lead before the Maroons rallied and scored six runs in the top of the seventh.
EJ Allen got the win, tossing 6 2/3 of an inning while striking out three batters.
Allen, and Chase Keen each finished with two hits, two RBI, and one run scored apiece while Kyler Elza, and Matthew Sanders each finished with a hit, and an RBI. Andrew Cupp drove in a run while J. Douglas Gilliam scored three times. Corey Broughton scored twice in the win.
Game One
North Laurel 2, Southwestern 1
The Jaguars took advantage of an error, and managed to pull off a 2-1 win over Southwestern.
North Laurel’s Chase Keen hit a grounder in the bottom of the seventh that was misplayed, allowing J. Douglas Gilliam to score, giving the Jaguars a one-run win.
Blaize Jones, and Andrew Cupp turned in stellar efforts on the mound. Jones tossed six innings, allowing two hits, and one earned run while striking out seven batters. Cupp tossed an inning of scoreless, and hitless ball.
Kyler Elza went 2-for-3 at the plate for North Laurel while Walt Hellard had a hit, and scored once. EJ Allen finished with a hit while Jones drove in a run. J. Douglas Gilliam also scored a run.
