Down 6-0 after only one inning Tuesday at Middlesboro, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the Harlan County Lady Bears settled in for another loss to the two-time defending district champs.
These Lady Bears appear to be a little different though and battled back for their fifth win in six games as they left Middlesboro with an 8-7 victory.
“I’m very proud of the effort these girls showed on the field tonight. When you get down in the first inning like we did, it’s very easy to check out mentally as a player,” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said. “We fought through the next six innings with Middlesboro scoring one additional run. I’ve been stressing to the girls that we can’t settle after any win. We still have to find ways to improve and I believe they are doing just that.”
Halle Raleigh led Harlan County’s 11-hit attack with three singles and two RBI. Jade Burton drove in two runs with a double and single. Lesleigh Brown drove in three runs with two singles. Jenna Wilson and Rylie Maggard each added doubles. Madison Blair and Brittleigh Estep had singles.
Blair gave up only one earned run and no walks and 10 hits while striking out five.
“We made some defensive plays in the field we’ve not been making the last few games,” Burton said. “Lesleigh Brown had a tough catch in right field, Brittleigh Estep, with a double play, and Jenna Wilson also made big plays for us.”
Harlan County will play host to Letcher Central on Thursday and travel to South Laurel on Friday before spending spring break in. Myrtle Beach, S.C., in the Cal Ripken Experience tournament.