By David Sharp
Cameron Bringer led off Highland’s April 1, 2021 baseball contest at Knox County with a home run. The lead was short lived. Knox County (2-2) scored five times in the bottom of the second and four more in their third inning for an 11-1, five inning win.
Conner Hayes pitched four innings, striking out eight for the win. The Eagle starter allowed all four Highland hits. Logan Dawson went 2-2 at bat for Highland (0-5). Toby O’Brien had the other Cougar safety.
Curtis Miller tossed four innings with one walk and one strikeout on ten hits. Eight of the KCHS runs were earned. Aidan Lay pitched the fifth and final inning with one walk on two hits and one run.
Knox County batted around during a five run second inning. Blake Parrish and Conner Hayes slammed Knox County doubles during the second inning rally. Knox County worked around a second inning Logan Dawson leadoff hit.
The Eagles turned a 1-4-3 double play to end the Highland second inning. Cameron Bringer reached on a dropped third strike leading off the Cougar third. Conner Hayes struck out the side, stalling Bringer on third base.
Braxton McCurren walked leading off the KC third. Isaac McCurren followed with a hit. Nick Hamlin drove in a run with a hit. Conner Hayes drove an RBI double. Braydon Miller followed with another Knox County hit for a 9-1 lead after three full innings.
Riece Miller singled leading off the KCHS fifth inning. Braydon Miller walked. Rylan Roberts drove home the Riece Miller with the game winning hit. Knox County scored 11 runs on 12 hits.
Conner Hayes was 2-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored for Knox County. Isaac McCurren was 2-3 for the Eagles with two runs scored. Ten different Knox County batters had at least one hit in a balanced team effort.
Blake Parrish pitched one inning for Knox County with a walk. Parrish allowed no runs on no hits. He also had a hit and two Knox County runs batted in at the plate.
