Knox County Drops State Tournament Opener Despite 18-Hit Attack

BARBOURVILLE — Knox County pounded out 18 hits Saturday afternoon, but Valley Sports answered with timely offense to hand the District 4 champions an 8-6 loss in the opening round of the Kentucky 8U Coach Pitch State Tournament at the Richmond Little League Complex.
Knox County scored once in the first and second innings before plating three runs in the third to take a 5-2 lead.
Valley Sports responded with a three-run third inning to tie the game before adding three more runs in the fifth inning to move in front for good. Knox County scored once in the sixth but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Mason Cox paced the Knox County offense, going 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored. Kamden Scalf added two hits, including a double, while Hudson Collins, Jansen Warren, Levi Bargo, Noah Sanders and Jase Carmack each collected two hits.
CJ Bargo doubled and drove in a run, Hudson Collins added an RBI, Jansen Warren finished with an RBI and Levi Bargo also drove in a run. Oakley Mills, Jacob Partin and Jayven Helton each added a hit as Knox County finished with 18 hits as a team.
Despite the loss, Knox County remains alive in the double-elimination tournament and will continue play in the consolation bracket on Sunday.
The Knox County 8U Coach Pitch team features Jayven Helton, Jacob Partin, Cooper Blevins, Oakley Mills, Jansen Warren, Hudson Collins, Levi Bargo, Noah Sanders, Kamden Scalf, Jase Carmack, CJ Bargo and Mason Cox.