Harlan County overcame deficits twice on Thursday at Barbourville before winning 11-7 with a four-run ninth inning.

Jonathan Wilder was the star for the Bears, both at the plate and on the mound. He drove in three runs with three singles in five at bats and pitched the final 2 1/3 innings to earn the win. He gave up one hit while striking out two and walking two.

Garry Henson, Justin Brown and Michael Simpson added two hits each for the 2-5 Bears. Quinton Boggs, Brayden Blakley and Tyler Casolari added one hit each.

J Harris started on the mound for HCHS and gave up six runs (four earned) on nine hits in four innings, with one strikeout and one walk. Blakley allowed one run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. Boggs faced two batters and walked them both before Wilder entered to stop the Tigers’ threat and send the game to extra innings.

Henson and Brown opened the decisive ninth inning with singles. Casolari walked to load the bases. Boggs singled home two runs with a one-out single after Wilder struck out. Blakley followed with an RBI single. Simpson singled to load the bases again and Zac Collett followed with a bases-loaded walk.

Harlan County plays host to Perry Central on Monday.

District action will begin next week for all the teams in the 52nd District. Harlan will travel to Bell County on Thursday and play host to the Bobcats on Friday. Harlan County will play at Middlesboro on Thursday and will play host to the Jackets on Friday. Harlan will play Middlesboro the following week, while HCHS plays Bell County. HCHS and Harlan play each other the next week.

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Harlan County 300 200 204 — 11. 12. 3

Barbourville 301 201 000 — 7. 12. 4

Harris, Blakley (5), Boggs (7), Wilder (7) and Casolari; Tye, Collins (6), Smith (7), Lundy (9) and Powers. WP — Wilder (1-0). LP — Lundy.