A quartet of Harlan County seniors wrapped up their home careers with a victory on Tuesday. Tyler Boggs, James Bond, Andrew Dozier and Chad Massingill all played big roles in the home finale to help lift the Black Bears to an 8-3 victory over visiting Central (Wise), Va.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, Harlan County quickly took control with seven runs in the second and third innings.
Conner Leisge reached base on an error to the shortstop to start the second inning. Massingill followed with a single to left field. Sawyer Fields reached base on a fielder’s choice that put out Leisge at third. Boggs drove in two runs with a hard hit error through the fielder’s legs at second base. Dozier scored pinch runner Nick Cornett with a double to left field.
Central made it 3-2 with a run in the top of the third inning, but Harlan County answered with three runs in the bottom half.
Bond reached base on a walk to start the third inning. He stole second and reached third base on a wild pitch. Leisge drove in the first run with a double to center field. Massingill then reached base with a bunt single down the third base line. Leisge put Harlan County on top when he scored on a passed ball. Massingill advanced to second on the play. Blake Rutherford reached on a single up the middle of the infield. Rutherford stole second base. Boggs scored both runners with a single up the middle.
Harlan County added another run in the fourth inning.
Scotty Bailey started the offense with a single up the middle. Bailey later scored when Bond delivered a bunt single down the first base line.
Central closed the scoring with a run in the seventh inning.
Boggs recorded three strikeouts, while giving up one hit in three innings in the start. Bond struck out three batters, while allowing one hit in two innings to claim the win. Anthony Jenkins recorded one strikeout in one inning of relief. Dozier allowed just one hit in the final inning in his first appearance on the mound as a Black Bear.
Dozier had a double and a single to lead the Harlan County offense on senior night. Boggs, Massingill and Bailey each added two singles. Leisge contributed a double, while Bond, Rutherford and Gage Burkhart each added a single.
“The boys are swinging the bat. We have been using about 12 or 13 players and all of them are hungry,” said Harlan County coach John Lewis. “I don’t know if we are peaking — I hope we are. If we could wait two or three more games and peak at the right time. But, I will take a peak right now.”
Harlan County (23-8) returns to action Thursday at North Laurel.
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In previously unreported action, Harlan County scored four runs on five hits, in a 4-2 win Monday at Central.
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Wise Central 101 000 1 — 3 5 1
Harlan County 034 100 x — 8 12 6
Flanary, Collins (4) and Johnson; Boggs, Bond (4), Jenkins (6), Dozier (7) and Bailey. WP — Bond. LP — Flanary.
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