The Harlan County Lady Bears added another scalp in their revenge tour to start the 2023 season, improving to 4-0 and knocking off a third team they lost to a year ago with an 8-5 victory Tuesday over visiting Whitley County.
Rylie Maggard doubled twice, including a two-out, bases-clearing shot in the second inning to put the Lady Bears ahead to stay after falling behind 1-0. Brittleigh Estep and Halanah Shepherd had two hits each. Lesleigh Brown added a double, while Madison Blair and Jenna Wilson chipped in with one single each.
Blair pitched a complete game, striking out four and walking two, as she won for the fourth time in the young season.
Whitley made it close after the Lady Bears had built a 8-3 lead as Ryleigh Petrey hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Whitley got the leadoff runner on base in the seventh inning, but Hailey Austin made two nice plays at third to end the game. Austin fielded a line drive on the second out of the inning, then Shepherd made a nice scoop at first base.
“We knew coming in to this game that Whitley would really put the bat on the ball. We had to control the game as much as we could on the defensive side,” said Harlan County coach Shelby Burton. “Hailey Austin took over in the field like a senior should by securing the last two outs with Halanah. If Hailey’s not at third, those plays aren’t being made.”
Harlan County will travel to Clay County on Thursday.
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Whitley County 102 002 0 — 5. 9. 3
Harlan County 031 400 x — 8. 11 4
Dixon, Lunsford (4) and Brown; Blair and Burton. WP — Blair (4-0). LP — Dixon. HR — Petrey.