An Enterprise Staff Report

The Harlan Green Dragons earned a split in two games Wednesday at the Tri-State Invitational at Thomas Walker, Va.

The Dragons committed seven errors to spoil a stellar outing by senior Randy Blakley in a 3-2 loss to Twin Springs, Va., to open the day.

Left-hander David Cassell fanned 15 and gave up four hits in the winning effort.

Blakley (0-1) allowed one hit and struck out nine but took the loss as Harlan gave up three unearned runs.

"(Blakley) matched (Cassell) pitch-for-pitch, inning-for-inning," Harlan coach David Evans said. "We just made too many mistakes, and you can't do that against a quality pitcher."

John Smith, Josh Howard, Blakley and Patrick Ball each singled for the Dragons.

Jon Graham singled three times to spark Harlan's 13-hit attack in a 10-4 victory over host Thomas Walker in the nightcap.

Patrick Ball (1-0) went six innings, striking out 10 and walking two, to pick up the win. Brent Vannatter pitched the final frame.

Ball doubled and singled for the Dragons, and Vannatter, Smith, and Shea Moody each added a pair of singles. Howard and Preston Jones also singled.

Harlan (2-1) will travel to Fleming-Neon on Friday before returning to action at the Tri-State Invitational on Saturday.

Harlan 000 002 0 2 4 7

Twin Springs, Va. 002 100 X 3 1 1

Blakley and Howard; Cassell and Taylor. WCassell. LBlakley (0-1).

T. Walker, Va. 301 000 0 4 7 3

Harlan 004 600 X 10 13 1

Ball, Vannatter (7) and Howard; Taylor, Pauley (3), Hensley (5) and Price. WBall. LPauley.

Bell County 5

Cawood 4

Cawood's only two errors of the night, both in the seventh inning, proved to be costly as visiting Bell County rallied for four runs to edge the Trojans 5-4 on Wednesday.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh and the Trojans clinging to a one-run lead, Spencer Greer hit a hard grounder that bounced off the chest of Cawood first baseman Will Colinger to plate the tying and go-ahead runs.

Kyle Nelson's one-out single earlier in the inning had pulled the Bobcats to within one after two walks and an error.

Greer, an eighth-grade right-hander, claimed the win for the Bobcats as he limited Cawood to only one hit over the final two innings. Jordan Wagers gave up nine hits and four runs in five innings.

Cory Estep suffered the loss as he allowed four runs, all unearned, in two innings. Mikey Hensley had blanked the Bobcats on two hits through five-plus innings before tiring in the sixth, loading the bases before giving way to Estep, who escaped by allowing only one run on a walk. Hensley struck out three and walked two.

Hensley had a double and two singles and scored three runs to lead Cawood at the plate. Estep added two doubles and a single for three RBI. Sam Jenkins, Josh Stewart and Jon Whitehead each had one single.

Cawood (0-1) returns to action Friday at Evarts.

Bell County 000 001 4 5 3 6

Cawood 101 200 x 4 9 2

Wagers, Greer (6) and Britton; Hensley, Estep (6) and Estep, Hensley (6). WGreer. LEstep (0-1).

Pound, Va., 10

Cumberland 2

The Cumberland Redskins opened the 2005 season with a 10-2 loss to visiting Pound, Va., on Wednesday.

Drew Chamberlain (0-1) took the loss for the Redskins. Brandon Burton also saw action on the mound.

Chris Vicini singled twice for Cumberland, and Kevin Cope and Zach Blanton each added a single.

The Redskins loaded the bases with one out in the fifth inning, but came away empty-handed after their last two batters struck out.

Cumberland (0-1) returns to action today at home against Whitley County. The Colonels defeated the Redskins in the first round of the 13th Region Tournament last season.

Pound, Va. 024 004 10 15 1

Cumberland 000 020 2 4 3

Tucker, Kentrail (1) and Standifer; Chamberlain, Burton (4) and Allison. WTucker. LChamberlain (0-1). HRPound, Bolling.