Lady Bears rally for victory over Cumberland Gap

Blair pitches 4-hitter in complete-game win

Harlan+County+senior+outfielder+Halle+Raleigh%2C+pictured+in+action+earlier+this+season%2C+came+up+with+game-tying+hit+Monday+in+the+Lady+Bears+2-1+win+over+visiting+Cumberland+Gap%2C+Tenn.

Kim Henson

Harlan County senior outfielder Halle Raleigh, pictured in action earlier this season, came up with game-tying hit Monday in the Lady Bears’ 2-1 win over visiting Cumberland Gap, Tenn.

By John Henson, Managing Editor

Locked in her second 1-0 game in four days following a loss at Pineville on Friday, Harlan County’s Madison Blair did her part to keep the Lady Bears in the game until her offense woke up.
The Lady Bears finally broke through with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, then Blair worked out of trouble in the seventh to send Harlan County to a 2-1 victory over visiting Cumberland Gap, Tenn. Blair struck out nine and walked one while pitching a four-hitter.
“Maddy kept us in the game by hitting her spots like she was asked to do,” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said. “Her ability to control games from the mound this year is a huge indication of the hard work she put in during the offseason.”
Halanah Shepherd reached on a two-base error in the sixth inning, then came home with tying run when Halle Raleigh lined a single down the line in right field. Raleigh scored the go-ahead run when Aviya Halcomb’s fly ball was dropped in right field.
“Halanah and Aviya both came in clutch with two big hits late in the game. Halanah is capable of this type of hit every at bat. Aviya had her best game of the year tonight,” Burton said.
Cumberland Gap had the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the seventh when Blair induced a ground ball to end the game.
Jenna Wilson led the Lady Bears on offense with a triple. Shepherd and Halcomb had doubles. Blair, Lesleigh Brown and Rylie Maggard added singles. Maggard also had two nice running catches in center field to help keep the game close.
The 10-10 Lady Bears return to action Tuesday at Barbourville.
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Cumberland Gap, Tenn. 001 000 0 — 1. 4. 2
Harlan County 000 002 x — 2. 7. 3
Dixon and Stevens; Blair and Halcomb. WP — Blair (9-8). LP — Dixon.