Varner fans 17 as Dragons win
Published 3:30 pm Monday, April 8, 2019
Will Varner’s defense was solid Saturday against visiting Hancock County, Tenn., but the senior right-hander didn’t need a lot of help as he struck out 17 and pitched a two-hitter in the Green Dragons’ 4-1 win.
Varner walked three as he evened his record at 1-1 on the season, recording all but four outs in the game via strikeouts.
Varner also led the Harlan offense with a double, one of seven Dragons to record one hit. Kilian Ledford, Josh Knuckles, Michael Robinson, Caleb Adkins, Shane Lindsey and Jared Hawkins added one single each.
Harlan fell behind 1-0 in the top of third before answering with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Hawkins singled to center with one out in the inning. Andrew Roark reached on a dropped third strike. Varner doubled home one run and Ledford singled in another to put Harlan ahead to stay.
Harlan added two insurance runs in the sixth inning as Robinson, Adkins and Lindsey had consecutive one-out singles.
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Kilian Ledford drove in four runs with a grand slam and single as the Dragons rolled to a 13-3 win Thursday at Jellico, Tenn.
Andrew Roark added two singles. Varner, Adkins, Knuckles, Robinson and Browning had one single each.
Robinson earned the win on the mound as he gave up two earned runs on five hits in five innings, with eight strikeouts and five walks.
Harlan (5-5) returns to action Tuesday at Perry Central.
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Hancock County 001 000 0 — 1. 2. 5
Harlan 002 002 x — 4. 7. 1
Seals, Morgan (5) and Delph; Varner and Knuckles. WP — Varner (1-1). LP — Seals.
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Harlan 143 14 — 13. 9. 1
Jellico 020 01 — 3. 5. 1
Robinson and Knuckles; Soto, Albertini (1) and Zucchini. WP — Robinson (2-2). LP — Soto.