MIDDLESBORO — Middlesboro continued its dominance in the 52nd District by capturing its seventh consecutive district title in a row with a 10-9 come from behind win over Harlan County.
The two teams battled throughout the seven-inning game with the Yellow Jackets building an 8-3 advantage after four innings of play before Jonah Swanner’s grand slam highlighted a six-run fifth inning to give the Black Bears a 9-8 advantage.
Harlan County hung on to the lead until the top of the seventh when Middlesboro rallied to score two runs to reclaim a 10-9 advantage.
Kameron Wilson set down the Black Bears in order after allowing a lead-off single by Isaac Kelly to secure the one-run victory for the Yellow Jackets.
John Smith’s squad only had five hits in the win, but took advantage of six errors, and six walks.
Wilson, Chase Adkins, Connor Mason, and Case Bayless each had run-scoring hits in the win.
Connor Winterberger started the game, allowing eight hits, and six earned runs in 4 1/3 of an inning. He struck out six batters. Wilson got the win, pitching 2 2/3 of an inning while striking out five batters, and allowing three hits, and one earned run.
Swanner led Harlan County with two hits, four RBI, and two runs scored while Kelly finished with a hit, two RBI, and one run scored. Tristan Cooper finished with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored while Carter Howard, and Alex Creech each had a hit, an RBI, and a run scored apiece. Brayden Blakley, Braydon Burton, and Samuel Henson each finished with a hit, and a run scored apiece. Kaden Boggs also had a hit.
Cooper took the loss, pitching 6 1/3 of an inning while allowing five hits, and three earned runs. He struck out nine batters. Blakley pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing no hits or runs while striking out a batter.
