Harlan County suffered its first loss of the season Thursday, falling 2-1 in a pitchers’ duel at Clay County.
Abby Bowling pitched a five-hitter for Clay County with six strikeouts and no walks.
Holly Jackson led Clay on offense with three singles, two stolen bases and an RBI.
Madison Blair gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits with one walk and no strikeouts as she pitched well in defeat.
Lesleigh Brown and Blair led HCHS at the plate with two singles each. Halanah Shepherd and Hailey Austin added one single each.
The 4-1 Lady Bears open their district schedule Tuesday at Middlesboro.

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Letcher Central’s Scarlett Stamper pitched a perfect game with five strikeouts as the Lady Cougars coasted to a 16-0 win Thursday over Harlan.
Katie Combs had three hits and scored three runs to lead Letcher. Kara Holcomb, Autumn Wampler and Scarlett Stamper added two hits each.
Mallory McNiel gave up 12 runs on nine hits with two walks in 2 1/3 innings. Ella Lisenbee allowed four runs on two hits with three walks.
The Lady Dragons fell 17-0 and 6-0 against visiting Rye Cove, Va., on Friday in a doubleheader and were limited to no hits in both games.
McNiel started in the circle and gave up eight runs on five hits in one-third of an inning. Lisenbee allowed three runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Woods drove in four runs on two hits to lead Rye Cove.
Lisenbee suffered the loss as she gave up five runs (two earned) one hit in one inning. Amy Roman pitched four innings, giving up one run on six hits.
The Lady Dragons lost two games Saturday at Whitley County, falling 9-4 to Jackson County and 17-7 in five innings to the host Lady Colonels.
Ava Nunes led Harlan against Jackson with two singles. Lisenbee and Addison Jackson each had triples. Ella Farley, Annie Hoskins and Ally Kirby had one single each.
Lisenbee started in the circle and gave up nine runs (five earned) on seven hits in. 5 1/3 innings. Roman recorded the final two outs with strikeouts.
Abbie Fields had two doubles in the loss to Whitley County. Hoskins added a double and single. Farley, McNiel and Jackson each contributed two singles. Roman and Kendyll Blanton added one single each.
McNiel gave up 12 runs on 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings, with two walks. Roman allowed five runs on four hits in 2/3 of an inning.
Harlan (0-6) will play at Bell County on Tuesday and play host to Middlesboro on Thursday in the first two district clashes of the season.