PHOTO GALLERY: Middlesboro High School Defeats Bell County 8-2 in 52nd District Tourney

UPDATED

The Middlesboro Yellow Jackets have clinched their berth in the upcoming 13th Region Tournament with an 8-2 win over the Bell County Bobcats in the opening round of the 52nd District baseball tournament held Monday evening at Harlan County High School.

Both district champion and runner-up qualify for the regional tournament.

Middlesboro (14-14) will meet host Harlan County (12-19) for its fifth straight 52nd District championship Tuesday night, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The Black Bears, down 4-0 , bounced back to beat Harlan 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning in the other district matchup.

Both clubs split their series back in mid-April. Harlan County edged MHS 8-7 in nine innings at home, while the Jackets bounced back with a 15-4 victory in Middlesboro.

Bell County finished its 2021 campaign with a 7-15 mark.

Photos by Jamie H. Vaught