LONDON — Hayden Melton continued Knox Central’s red-hot stretch Friday during the Jon Hooker Memorial Classic, blasting a home run and driving in three runs to lead the Panthers to an 8-2 victory over South Laurel.
Knox Central won its 14th straight game and improved to 21-6 on the season after pounding out 14 hits in the victory.
Melton finished 2-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored while Jathan Collins added a huge night at the plate by going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Ethan Ramsey collected two hits, Tate Marcum added two more hits and an RBI, and Brady Engle, Matthew Powenski and Nate Miller each contributed hits for the Panthers.
Knox Central scored in each of the first three innings before pulling away with a two-run fifth inning and three-run sixth inning.
Easton Ramsey earned the win on the mound after allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) over 5.1 innings. Zach Carroll tossed the final 1.2 scoreless innings in relief.
South Laurel (20-11) managed five hits in the loss. Waylon Hensley doubled while Carter Kelley drove in a run. Jackson Catching scored once and added a hit for the Cardinals.
