A two-run homer by Corbin set the tone in Tuesday’s game against Middlesboro. After falling behind early, the Jackets couldn’t punch runs across the plate en route to a 4-0 loss to their regional foe.

“Our pitchers, for the most part, have thrown well all year. They’ve kept us in ball games, but things we’ve talked about — walks and errors — will come back to haunt you,” said Middlesboro coach John Smith. “Sure enough, we have an error the first at-bat…and the guy two batters later hits a home run and their up 2-0. Then we walk a guy later on, and he ends up scoring making it 3-0.

“Those things come back to bite you in the butt, and we’ve talked about that. We got down early, and we just couldn’t get the hit when we needed it. Seems like we hit a few on the screws and it was right at them. We just got to keep swinging the bats. I think we’re swinging well. We’re hitting the ball real well. They’ll start falling for us.”

Middlesboro tallied six hits on the day with Brad Short being the only Jacket to finish with multiple hits. He ended the night going 2-for-2 with two singles. He also reached base once on a walk.

Jacob Spurlock was credited with the loss allowing six hits and four runs through six innings. He also struck out four batters while on the mound. Tyler McCullough closed out the game for the Jackets.

For Corbin, it was Noah Taylor’s two-run homer in the first that paced the Redhounds. He ended the night 1-for-3 with three RBIs and one run. Chase Estep led the team with two runs while Caleb Vannorstran earned a run as a courtesy runner.

Jayson Stancil earned the victory on the mound throwing the complete-game shutout. He and the Redhound defense stranded seven batters on base.

Corbin wasted little time going up 3-0 early in the first thanks to a two-run homer by Taylor and an RBI single by Zac Hash.

The Redhounds jumped ahead four runs when a sac-fly by Taylor scored Estep.

Middlesboro’s best chance to get runs on the board came in the sixth and seventh inning. In the bottom half of the sixth, McCullough and Jacob Mike reached base with no outs on the board. McCullough advanced to third on a fly ball.

Outs by Chris Callihan and Joshua Arnold ended the inning with two runners stranded on base.

The seventh ended in a similar fashion for the Jackets. With one out on the board, Short and Chase Elliott reached on singles. Fly outs by Collier Elkins and McCullough ended the game.

Up Next

Middlesboro (5-6) will travel to Harlan (2-4) for a doubleheader on Friday. First game is slated for a 6 p.m. start.

Corbin (7-4) will square off against Barbourville (4-5) on Thursday.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-302-9090 or on Twitter @AnthonyCloudMDN