GOBLIN BASEBALL ELIMINATED FROM STATE

JACKSONVILLE — It was a case of too little, too late. The Harrison Goblins scored two runs in the seventh inning, but it wasn’t enough as they fell, 7-4, to the Greene County Tech Eagles in the opening round of the Class 5A State Baseball Tournament on Thursday. Harrison trailed, 7-2, as the final inning began. Tanner Taylor led off the inning with a double, bringing on a pitching change by Greene County Tech. With one out in the inning, senior Quinn Cherry stepped to the plate and smashed a 2-run homer over the left field fence to pull the Goblins within 7-4. Down to their last out, Thailer Lovell singled to left to keep the Goblin’s season alive. However, Greene County Tech retired the next batter to put an end to the Harrison season. Greene County Tech struck first with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Harrison responded with two in the top of the third to pull even. Taylor singled to start the frame and Colton Shaver reached base with a drag bunt to put runners on first and second. Carson Journagan was hit by a pitch to load the bases before a ball hit by Lovell resulted in a Greene County Tech error, allowing Taylor to score Harrison’s first run of the game. With two outs in the inning and the bases loaded, Jaxon Edwards was hit by a pitch to force home Shaver and tie the game at 2-2. The tied game didn’t last long as Greene County Tech scored a single run in the bottom of the third to reclaim a lead. The Eagles added another run in the fourth inning while the Harrison offense went silent. In the fifth inning, the Goblins threatened to score. Journagan singled before Lovell delivered a double to put runners at second and third. A passed ball from Greene County Tech saw Journagan make a spring to the dish, but he was called out on a play at the plate. Lovell would be stranded at third to end the inning. The Eagles would stretch their lead in the sixth inning as self-inflicted wounds cost the Goblins. Four walks issued by the Goblins along with an error allowed Greene County Tech to make it a 7-2 ballgame with the Goblins having just three outs remaining. The loss marked the final game for Harrison seniors Quinn Cherry and Laine Hilliard. Harrison will return one junior, five sophomores and nine freshman for next season. The Goblins finish the season with a 10-17 record overall after finishing the blended conference season with a 6-5 mark.

GOBLIN BASEBALL ELIMINATED FROM STATE

STAFF

Harrison Athletics | 5/11/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Harrison Athletics