BARBOURVILLE — In an impressive display of batting prowess, Conor West delivered a flawless performance, going 4-for-4 at the plate for Barbourville Tigers in their 9-5 triumph over Middlesboro.
West’s hits were strategically placed throughout the game, with singles in the first, third, sixth, and seventh innings, each proving pivotal in securing the victory.
The game began with Middlesboro gaining an early lead, courtesy of a well-executed play in the bottom of the first inning. However, Barbourville quickly responded, with Colby Peters’ timely single in the top of the third inning knotting the score at one apiece.
Barbourville surged ahead in the fourth inning, reclaiming the lead as Luke Hillard and Ty Clark contributed crucial hits, while West capitalized on a walk to bring in additional runs.
Although Middlesboro staged a comeback in the bottom of the fourth, taking advantage of Barbourville’s defensive miscue and a double by C Bayless to score two runs, Barbourville remained resilient.
The sixth inning saw Barbourville extend their lead to 8-5, with West once again showcasing his hitting prowess, driving in a run with yet another single.
Despite Middlesboro’s efforts, Barbourville’s pitching rotation, led initially by Noah Gray and later by Hillard and Clark, effectively shut down their opponents’ offense.
Barbourville’s offensive strategy was not solely reliant on hits, as they demonstrated exceptional discipline at the plate, drawing a total of nine walks throughout the game. Hillard and Caiden Miracle emerged as leaders in this aspect, each earning two free passes.
Despite the loss, Middlesboro’s Bayless showcased versatility, contributing both on the mound and at bat, while the team’s defensive performance remained solid, highlighted by Bayless’ impressive 13 plays.
When talking to head coach of the Barbourville Tigers Brandon Hillard he said, “Great pitching today,
Had some timely at bats out of our key guys, Monster day at the plate for Conor West.” Conor finished the day going 4-4 with 3 RBI’s.
