The North Laurel Jaguars will head out on the road to take on the Harlan County Black Bears at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. North Laurel is coming into the match hot, having won their last six games.
North Laurel came out on top against Tates Creek on Thursday thanks in part to the team's impressive four-run first inning. The Jaguars sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 6-4 win over the Commodores.
Cam Hinkle
| 05/15/25 @ Tates Creek | 0 |
| 05/10/25 vs Southwestern | 2 |
| 05/05/25 @ Leslie County | 2 |
Cam Hinkle was a major factor while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in two of his four plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Hinkle wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Carter Kelley, who went 1-for-4 with one run and one double.
Meanwhile, Harlan County can bid farewell to their four-game losing streak thanks to their game on Thursday. They had just enough and edged out Letcher County Central 12-11. Considering the Black Bears' hitters had been struggling lately, the high-scoring outing was a much-needed turnaround.
Dashaun Smith was a standout: he got on base in four of his five plate appearances with two stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. That's the most runs he has posted since back in April. The team also got some help courtesy of Gunnar Johnson, who went 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Harlan County was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .452. That's the best batting average they've posted all season.
North Laurel's record is now 17-12. As for Harlan County, their record now sits at 8-18-1.
Everything went North Laurel's way against Harlan County when the teams last played on Monday, as North Laurel made off with a 12-0 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Jaguars since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
