HAZARD — The Tri-City All-Stars overcame a seven-run deficit against Harlan earlier this month to earn a trip to District 4 competition. They weren’t able to repeat that feat in the opening round of the district tournament on Saturday afternoon as North Laurel scored in every inning on the way to a 12-1 five-inning win.

“I’m proud we’re here,” said Tri-City coach Stephen Creech. “If you look at the bracket, we’re the only team that doesn’t have a county at the end of its name. I’m proud of our little area.”

North Laurel collected 10 hits, led by Kip Allen with three singles and two RBI. Brennan Larkey and Tate Marcum added two singles each. Calton Elza, Cooper Parman and Micah Sizemore added one single each.

Tanner Houchens, Elza and Will Sutton teamed on a one-hitter. Houchens walked two and recorded two outs. Elza pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up one hit and one walk with one strikeouts. Sutton pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings with one strikeout and one walk.

Kolby Watts had the only hit for Tri-City with a single in the second inning and scored the only run after reaching on an error in the fifth inning.

“The top our lineup didn’t produce,” Creech said. “Our guys at the bottom of the lineup hit the ball, but North made plays. We also made too many mistakes.”

Carson Clark suffered the loss on the mound as he gave up eight runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts and three walks. Zayden Casolari allowed four runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings, with two strikeouts and three walks.

Elza was hit by a pitch to open the game and Allen followed with a one-out single. Parman singled in one run and Larkey brought in another with a sacrifice fly.

Keeton Smith walked and Marcum beat out a bunt hit to open the second inning. Both runners scored on wild pitches to push the lead to 4-0.

North broke the game open with four runs in the third inning as Sizemore, Marcum and Elza each had RBI singles. Another run scored on an error.

Allen walked in the fourth inning and scored on a wild pitch for a 9-0 lead.

Smith walked, Elza was hit by a pitch and Houchens walked to open the fifth inning. Allen singled home two runs. Parman’s ground out brought in the final North run.

North Laurel will play the loser of the Hazard-Perry/Knox County game on Sunday at 2 p.m.

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North Laurel 224 13 — 12. 10. 2

Tri-City 000 01 — 1. 1. 2

Houchens (1), Elza (1), Sutton (3) and Marcum; Clark, Casolari (3) and Lloyd. WP — Elza. LP — Clark.

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The District 4 Tournament for ages 11-12 opens Monday at Corbin with Corbin playing Middlesboro at 6 p.m. and Hazard/Perry taking on Clay County at 8 in winners bracket games. Pulaski County will play North Laurel at 6 p.m. and Harlan will take on Prineville-Bell at 8 in losers bracket games Tuesday.