CHRIS JONES/Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan's Tyler Grubbs took the throw on an attempted steal at second base during an 8-5 loss to visiting Leslie County on Friday. The Leslie base-runner was out on the play.

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JOHN MIDDLETON

Sports Editor

A mistake-filled sixth inning proved costly for the Harlan Green Dragons as they fell to visiting Leslie County in the regular season finale.

The Dragons committed two errors and allowed four unearned runs in the sixth as Leslie rallied from a four-run deficit for an 8-5 victory on Friday.

“The errors cost us the game. They may have had three earned runs the whole game,” said Harlan coach Robbie Burns.

The Dragons were able to push across five runs, but failed to capitalize on several other opportunities and stranded 10 runners in the contest.

“We left a lot of runners on base and didn’t get hits when we needed them,” Burns said. “That’s Baseball.”

Harlan took the lead with a run in the first inning.

Tyler Grubbs reached base on a walk and scored on a single by Dlyan McNiel.

The Dragons pushed the lead to 2-0 in the second inning as Jordan Turbyfill scored on a single from Grubbs.

Ben Abraham, Tye Patrick and Zach Hollins each scored in the fourth as the stretched to four runs.

Hollins, Patrick and McNiel each had a pair of singles to pace the Dragons at the plate. Colby Wilson contributed a double, and Grubbs and Abraham each added a single.

Friday’s contest was the last home game for seniors Grubbs, Hollins and Jacob Rich. The trio has helped the Dragons to surpass last season’s win total by nine games.

“I’m real pleased with the guys. I am pleased with our whole team this year. Everybody thought we would win three or four games and we won 13,” Burns said.

Harlan (13-21) returns to action Monday in the 52nd District Tournament against Harlan County. Leslie County closes the regular season at 13-13.

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Leslie Co. 000 106 1 - 8 8 2

Harlan 110 300 0 - 5 9 4

Collett and Hubbard; McNiel, Grubbs (6) and Hollins. WP-Collett. LP-Grubbs.