Bell County’s early season woes continued on Friday in Claiborne County, as they fell to the home team Bulldogs 1-11 in six innings.

“Antonio (Zachery) pitched well enough for us to win the game, we just didn’t have the defense to back him up,” said Bell County coach Scott Chaney. “We’ve got a lot of young guys that have never played some of the positions we have them in right now.

“We are just taking it day-by-day and trying to get better. We are really focusing in on our overall defense right now, if we can get better there, I think we will be right where we want to be. I’m proud of our effort – we just have a little work to do.”

Senior pitcher Antonio Zachery pitched four innings of the game, totaling 79 pitches in the count. Zachery accumulated six hits, eight runs, three earned runs, one walk and three strikeouts. Junior J.M. Baker pitched one inning, totaling 37 pitches. Baker amassed two hits, three runs, three walks and a strikeout.

The Bobcats had 11 hits on the afternoon. Cole Hoskins had two hits on three at bats, as well as one double, one run and one stolen base. Zachery had one hit on the afternoon, batting in the Bobcats’ lone run of the day with one RBI. He also stole a base. Baker, Clark Hunter, Jaden Hensley and Jacob Messer all struck out in at least one appearance at the plate. Messer was also walked once. Jacob Smith added a stolen base.

The Bobcats were slated to play South Laurel on the road on Monday.