Cumberland Gap’s district and overall record took a hit on Wednesday when the team hosted in-county rival Claiborne in a doubleheader. The Bulldogs swept the Panthers defeating them 6-2 and 10-6.

For Cumberland Gap, it’s their fourth loss in the last five games with a win over Grainger on April 18 being the only victory over that stint. A victory for the Bulldogs helps the team rebound after a close loss to Middlesboro on April 19.

Game 1: Claiborne 6, Cumberland Gap 2

The first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader was a defensive battle to say the least. At the end of seven, the game was tied 1-1. A five-run rally by Claiborne in the 10th inning created enough separation for the Bulldogs to earn the 6-2 victory over Cumberland Gap.

In what was a war of pitching, Elijah Beason picked up the win on the mound for Claiborne. Through 4 1/3 innings, he collected three strikeouts while allowing only three hits and one run.

Cedric Brown started the game for the Bulldogs and racked up 13 strikeouts while allowing five hits and one run through 5 2/3 innings. He walked two batters.

At the plate, Claiborne tallied only five hits with Ty Stone leading the way. The senior center-fielder scored one run on two hits. Gage Callebs went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run.

On the opposite side of the field, Michael Moyers was credited with the loss for Cumberland Gap. Entering the game in the 10th inning, the senior allowed four runs with one strikeout. Micah Cannon closed the game allowing one run on one hit.

Sophomore Brennan Murphy started the game for the Panthers. With an impressive showing, he allowed only one run and four hits through nine innings.

Cumberland Gap was able to rattle off eight hits during the game. Cannon paced the team going 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run. Darrin Robertson ended the game with one RBI on two hits.

Holdin McDaniel also scored for the Panthers.

With the game even at 1-1, Cumberland Gap had a chance to earn the win in the seventh. With the winning run on third, Peyton Wilder struck out to send the game into extra innings.

After a silent eighth inning, the Panthers found themselves in position to win the game again in the ninth. Robertson opened the inning with a lead-off single. Brady Pearman was hit by a pitch to advance the runner.

An out at first allowed Robertson and Pearman to advance, but an out by Matthew Massengill ended the inning with runners stranded in scoring position.

Claiborne took advantage of some fielding mistakes to secure the victory in the 10th. Jon Werner scored on a fielding error to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. Beason and Stone eventually crossed home plate to increase the lead to 4-1.

A two-run single by Haydn Hollin ballooned the Claiborne lead to 6-1.

Cumberland Gap was able to find home plate one more time before the game ended. A triple by McDaniel led to an RBI by Cannon to cut the final deficit to four runs.

Game 2: Claiborne 10, Cumberland Gap 4

Claiborne wasted little time putting the second game of the doubleheader out of reach. The Bulldogs racked up eight runs in the second en route to a 10-4 victory over the Panthers.

Ryley Hager paced the Bulldogs at the plate going a perfect 3-for-3 with four RBIs and one run. Elijah Beason led Claiborne in runs ending the game with three on one hit and two walks. Gage Callebs was also impressive at the plate finishing with one run and one RBI on two hits.

Jacob Wilson earned the victory on the mound for the Bulldogs allowing five hits and six runs through 3 2/3 innings.

Cumberland Gap had a slow night at the plate tallying only three hits during the game. Brady Pearman lead the team tallying one run and two RBIs on one hit. Peyton Welch finished with one RBI and one run on a double.

Micah Cannon, Darrin Robertson, Michael Moyers, and Brennan Murphy also scored runs during the game.

Moyers was credited with the loss for the Panthers. Through one inning of work, he allowed five runs and three hits. Matthew Massengill and Peyton Wilder also saw time on the mound.

Up Next

Cumberland Gap (17-9) is slated to host Northview Academy at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Claiborne returns to action at 5 p.m. on Monday when they host West Greene.

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