CHRIS JONES/Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan County senior Braxton Fields raced down the first-base line as Harlan's Christian Turbyfill attempted to snag an errant throw during Monday's 52nd District matchup. Fields scored a pair of runs to help lead the Bears to a 13-3 victory.

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CHRIS JONES/Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan County senior Tyler Dixon slid safely into home as Harlan catcher Zach Hollins applied the tag.

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JOHN MIDDLETON

Sports Editor

Harlan County pitcher James Bond followed up a perfect game against Bell County by allowing just three hits and no earned runs in a victory at Harlan in 52nd District action on Monday.

The junior struck out four batters, while allowing three hits, one walk and hitting one batter in a 13-3 five-inning victory over the Green Dragons.

Bond helped himself out at the plate as he had one double and two singles to pace the Bears. Scotty Bailey contributed three singles, while Braxton Fields, Tyler Boggs and Chris Southerland each added a single.

Zach Hollins doubled to lead the Harlan offense. Colby Wilson and Tye Patrick each added a single.

Harlan County took the lead with one run in the first inning, and continued to build the advantage from that point. The Bears made it 7-0 with six runs in the second inning and put the game out of reach with three runs in both the third and fourth inning.

All three of Harlan’s runs came in the third inning.

“We didn’t make the routine plays and threw the ball around the field. When we are not hitting the ball we can’t do that and compete,” said Harlan coach Robbie Burns. “We were making contact, but not getting anything by their defense. Harlan County has a great team.”

Both teams return to action today as Harlan (4-13 overall, 0-3 district) visits Harlan County (16-2 overall, 3-0 district) to complete the two-game series.

Harlan County suffered a big blow recently as senior first-baseman Stephen Dozier is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury on his way to first base during the team’s trip to Myrtle Beach. Dozier was batting .368 before the injury.

“He started the year off hot. We just hate to lose him. He was the one that got us rolling and was leading us at the plate,” said Harlan County coach John Lewis. “We hate it. He was a real asset to the team, and brought a lot for us. I hate to see him go - especially with this being his senior year.”

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In previously unreported action, Harlan County defeated Meigs County, Tenn. 10-7 and McMinn Central, Tenn. 6-1 on Saturday.

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Harlan Co. 163 30 - 13 9 2

Harlan 003 00 - 3 3 4

Bond and Boggs; Ward, Clark (2), Wilson (4) and Hollins. WP-Bond (3-2). LP-Ward.

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Harlan County 300 101 5 — 10 14 3

Meigs County 000 313 0 — 7 6 3

Cornett, Boggs (4) and Boggs, Bailey (4); Spencer and Fugate. WP — Boggs (5-0). LP — Spencer.

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Harlan County 002 010 3 — 6 8 0

McMinn Central 001 000 0 — 1 4 0

Leisge and Boggs; White and Daley. WP — Leisge (4-0). LP — White.