CORBIN — Two 13th Region heavyweights battled things out at Don House Field on Tuesday with Corbin edging North Laurel, 8-5.
The Redhounds (1-0) rallied from deficits of 3-1 and 5-3 to pull off the win.
“Proud of how the guys battled and didn’t give up, they definitely had the opportunity to,” Corbin coach Cody Philpot said. “We made some mistakes and left a lot of guys stranded early but kept battling until we broke through with a big inning. Seeing us battle through adversity this time of year is a great sign for our future.”
Trailing 5-3 entering the bottom of the sixth, Corbin took advantage of two bases loaded walks that scored two runs while a fielder’s choice combined with an error led to two more runs.
A run-scoring single by Jaden Broughton pushed the Redhounds’ lead to 8-5 as Lucas Tarvin tossed two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the win for Corbin.
Tarvin didn’t allow a hit or a baserunner while striking out two batters.
Will Freeman started the game for Corbin, pitching five innings while allowing eight hits and two earned runs, and finishing with one strikeout.
The Jaguars (1-1) built a 2-0 lead after two innings before the Redhounds cut their deficit to 2-1 after three innings.
North Laurel pushed across a run in the top of the fourth inning before Corbin scored twice in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at three apiece.
Run-scoring singles by Dylan Hurley and Adam hinkle in the top of the fifth allowed the Jaguars to reclaim a 5-3 edge.
After failing to score in the bottom of the fifth, the Redhounds took control of the game with a five-run sixth inning.
“We played well, hit the ball well, pitched well and was playing well defensively, a majority of the game or until the bottom of the 6th,” North Laurel coach Darrin McWhorter said. “We played well enough to win, outhit them 8-5, we only had one error, but it was a very untimely one. We will get back to work and see what happens Friday vs Southwestern.”
Noah Cima led Corbin with a 3-for-3 effort while driving in two runs and scoring twice. Broughton had a hit and two RBI while Dallas Merida had a hit and scored once. Cam Estep scored twice while Tarvin scored once. Clay Botner, Ethan Abner and Trey Person drove in an RBI apiece.
Eli Holt led the Jaguars with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored while Cooper Parman finished with two hits and a run scored. Hinkles delivered a hit, an RBI, and a run scored while Cameron Smith finished with a hit and scored once. Hurley and Tanner Houchens finished with a hit and an RBi apiece while Ashton Napier drove in a run and scored once.
Houchens tossed three innings for North Laurel, allowing three hits and one earned run. Colton Stewart tossed 2.2 innings, allowing a hit and six earned runs while striking out two batters. Hinkle pitched 1/3 of an inning, allowing a hit.
