BARBOURVILLE — Knox Central built an 8-0 lead and held on to defeat North Laurel on Monday with an 11-6 decision.
The Panthers (4-2) scored eight runs in the first three innings and withstood a late rally by the Jaguars (2-3) before sealing the win.
Casey Bright got the win o the mound for Knox Central, tossing four innings while allowing six hits and only two earned runs. He also struck out six batters.
John Davis came through at the plate for the Panthers with two hits and three RBI while Hayden Melton finished with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored. Austin Bargo added two hits, two RBI, and two runs scored.
North Laurel’s Carter Kelley was huge at the plate, finishing 4-for-4 with a triple, three RBI, and two runs scored. J. Douglas Gilliam delivered three hits while Cameron Smith had two hits and one run scored. Eli Holt and Ashton Napier finished with a hit and an RBI apiece.
“Got down early and fought and clawed our way to 6 runs just not enough tonight,” North Laurel coach Darren McWhorter said. “I thought we had some really good at bats need to play better defensively, which hadn’t been a problem. We will try it again at Harlan County.”
