Harlan County knocked off one of the 13th Region’s best pitchers in a 5-3 win Thursday over visiting Pineville to open the regular season.
Madison Blair pitched a complete game for the Lady Bears, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking one.
Jade Burton led the Lady Bears with a triple. Halle Raleigh, Jenna Wilson and Lesleigh Brown each had one single. Blair and Wilson each drove in a run while Raleigh, Wilson, Brown, Braylen Gilley and Kendall Brock scored one run each.
Rachel Howard pitched a complete game for Pineville, striking out 11 and hitting one batter. Howard limited the Lady Bears to three runs combined in two wins over HCHS last season.
“A year ago we played Pineville in our season-opener. When you compare where we started last year to this year, I believe it’s evident the hard work these girls have put in. We had 12 errors in a loss to them to open the season last year. We had three tonight,” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said. “I like where we are early in the season, but we still have some things to work on to get better.”
Harlan County returns to action Monday at home against Knox Central.