LONDON — J. Douglas Gilliam and Cam Hinkle combined to pitch an impressive effort to help guide North Laurel to an 8-3 win over crosstown rival South Laurel on Tuesday.
Gilliam tossed six innings allowing three hits and one earned runs while striking out six batters. Hinkle pitched the final inning, allowing no runs and only one hit while striking out one batter.
“J. Douglas Gilliam pitched a three hitter through six innings, and it was the best game he has thrown all year,” North Laurel coach Darren McWhorter said. “Always good to get a win against your crosstown rival. Defensively, we played great, and offensively, we had players step up at the plate one through nine. Overall, it was a great day to be a Jaguar.”
The Jaguars (15-14) struck first with a run in the first inning only to see the Cardinals (21-11) answer with two runs in the second inning.
North Laurel took control of the game with four runs in the fourth inning and three runs in the fifth inning to take an 8-2 advantage. South Laurel added a run in the top of the sixth inning but couldn’t get any closer.
Cooper Elza led the Jaguars with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate while driving in two runs and scoring twice. Cameron Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while Gilliam, Cooper Parman and Hinkle finished with a hit and a run scored apiece. Eli Holt finished with a hit while Andrew Cupp and Jude McWhorter finished with a run apiece.
Keaton Creech took the loss for the Cardinals, lasting three innings while allowing six hits and three earned runs. He struck out four batters. Keaton Smith pitch an inning, giving up a hit and one earned run while Waylon Hensley pitched the final two innings.
Jack Vaughn led South Laurel with a hit and an RBI while Tyler Curry, and Will Alsip delivered a hit apiece and scored a run apiece. Hensley collected a hit while Hunter Bundy drove in a run and Austin Byrd scored.
