A Harlan offense that has been red hot of late continued its recent dominance Thursday, exploding for nine runs in the fourth inning against visiting Bell County on the way to a 13-0 five-inning victory.
It was the fourth win in five games for the 8-8 Lady Dragons, who reached double digits in scoring for the ninth time this season. Harlan has already topped its win total from a year ago as perhaps the region’s most improved team.
“We’ve played a very demanding schedule against some very good teams, and we’ve grown up a lot,” Harlan coach David Overbay said. “We finally came together and started hitting the ball like I knew we could. These girls didn’t fold and they battled. It’s paying off now.”
Junior shortstop Ella Farley has sparked the recent surge from the top of the order and was a perfect four of four against Bell with a triple and three singles for three RBI. Addison Jackson had a double and single while Rhileigh Estes singled twice. Abbi Fields,, Annie Hoskins and Jordyn Smith each added doubles. Ella Lisenbee and Ava Nunez contributed singles.
“Their pitcher kept us off balance for a while. Bell is battling some injuries, but coach (David) Teague does a great job with them,” Overbay said.
Mallory McNiel, the Lady Dragons’ only senior, earned the win in the circle as she gave up four hits in 4 1/3 innings of relief after Smith struggled with dizziness after recording the first two outs of the game.
“Mallory is like our momma hen. She has battled and loves the game. She keeps everything calm,” Overbay said.
The 5-10 Lady Cats, who fell to 0-3 in district action, were led on offense by Adyson Scott, Jayda Boateng, Alexus Lawson and Kenley Forster with one single each.
Scott gave up 12 runs on 12 hits in 3 2/3 innings in the circle, with two strikeouts and three walks. Camdyn Thomas gave up one run on one hit with one strikeout and one walk as she recorded the final out.
Lisenbee reached on a fielder’s choice in the first inning and scored the game’s first run on Hoskins’ double.
Estes singled and Amy Roman walked in the second inning before coming home on Farley’s triple for a 3-0 lead.
Jackson walked in the third inning and made it 4-0 on Nunez’ hit.
The Lady Dragons collected seven hits in the fourth inning and scored two runs on consecutive errors. Smith, Fields and Jackson each had RBI doubles in the inning.
The Harlan defense also played well with no errors and several nice plays, including Lisenbee turning a double play at third in the third inning, Nunez making a running catch in the fourth and Farley with a leaping catch at short in the fifth.
Harlan returns to action Friday in the Mountain Strong Softball Classic at Letcher Central. Bell County plays Berea and Thomas Walker, Va., on Saturday at home.
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Bell County 000 00 — 0. 4. 3
Harlan 121 9x — 13. 13. 0
Scott, Thomas (4) and Maiden; Smith, McNiel (1) and Jackson. WP — McNiel (5-4), LP — Scott.