LONDON — Behind big nights from Ashton Napier and Cam Smith, North Laurel edged Corbin, 5-4, on Monday in a back-and-forth 13th Region showdown.
Napier delivered one of the biggest swings of the night, finishing with a home run and two RBI while Smith added a key home run of his own and drove in a run to help lead the Jaguars (1-1).
Eli Holt and Cam Hinkle each added two hits while Bradyn Evans and Jude McWhorter also drove in runs as North Laurel racked up 12 hits.
“We hit the ball well tonight when we had runners in scoring position, the exact opposite of Saturday, and that was the difference in the game,” North Laurel coach Darren McWhorter said. “We had 12 hits and Cam Smith and Ashton Napier had home runs.
“We played well defensively and our pitchers threw great,” he added. “Colton Stewart 4.1 innings and Zach Johnston 2.2 innings, both threw very well tonight. It was a great game. Great day to be a Jaguar.”
The Jaguars broke through with a three-run third inning and added what proved to be the game-winning run in the fifth.
Corbin (3-1) stayed within striking distance throughout the game.
Dallas Merida led the Redhounds with a 3-for-3 performance while Jaden Broughton drove in two runs. Clay Botner, Cam Estep, and Landon Walters each added hits and scored runs as Corbin rallied late with two runs in the seventh before falling just short.
On the mound, Colton Stewart turned in a strong outing for North Laurel, allowing just two earned runs over 4.1 innings while striking out four. Zac Johnston closed things out to secure the win.
Corbin used multiple armswith Easton Hendrickson striking out five over three innings before the Redhounds turned to the bullpen.
“Obviously, not what we wanted but we got some valuable experience in several places tonight,” Corbin coach Cody Philpot said. “Easton battled well, Webb came in and got us out of a jam. We gave ourselves a chance at the end. We’ll learn from it.”
