HARLAN — Tristan Cooper showcased his dominance on the mound, tallying an impressive 15 strikeouts in the Harlan County Black Bears’ 6-3 triumph over the Harlan Green Dragons on Monday. Cooper pitched seven innings, allowing only four hits and three runs while issuing two walks.
The Black Bears surged ahead in the opening frame, with Cooper’s groundout bringing in one run, followed by Samuel Henson’s single plating two more, and Aiden Craig drawing a walk to bring in another run. In the second inning, Will Cassim’s homer to center field added two more runs to their tally.
Baylor Varner suffered the loss for the Green Dragons, pitching one and one-third innings, conceding six runs (two earned) on three hits, striking out one, and walking five.
Cassim led the Black Bears’ offense with two hits in three at-bats, while both Henson and Cassim drove in two runs each. The team demonstrated discipline at the plate, drawing six walks throughout the game, with Craig and Isaac Kelly each earning two.
For the Green Dragons, Chris Rouse, Luke Luttrell, Aiden Johnson, and Eli Freyer contributed with one hit each. Johnson went 1-for-3 and drove in the team’s lone run.
The next fixture for the Harlan County Varsity Black Bears is a matchup against the Harlan Green Dragons on Tuesday.
