When Madison Blair, Harlan County’s primary pitcher the last two years, was unable to pitch due to a hip injury suffered early in the season, the Lady Bears and coach Shelby Burton weren’t sure what direction they’d go.
Alexis Adams has answered the call several times already as a freshman and was at her best Thursday as she pitched a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts and only one walk in the Lady Bears’ 5-1 victory over visiting Middlesboro.
“I felt Lexie did an outstanding job on the mound. We expect her to pitch like she’s been here for four years,” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said.
“With two hits and 10 strikeouts you’re not going to win many games,” Middlesboro coach Petie Gilbert said. “Their girl has done a great job since their main pitcher (Madison Blair) got hurt.”
Harlan County missed several scoring opportunities in the early innings and was clinging to a 2-1 lead before breaking through with three runs in the sixth inning. Jade Burton started the rally by whistling a line drive up the middle for a single. Brittleigh Estep added a single before Lesleigh Brown followed with a two-run double. Aviya Halcomb added a single before Lindsey Skidmore’s grounder to second brought in the final run.
Blair had two singles for the Lady Bears, including a leadoff single in the first before Burton’s RBI double brought in courtesy runner D’Anna Cook.
Middlesboro’s Trinity Partin beat out a bunt hit in the third inning and scored on an error with two outs.
Blair and Jenna Wilson opened the bottom of the third with hits before Halanah Shepherd’s ground ball was mishandled at third and then in left for two errors and one run. Wilson was cut down at the plate to keep the lead at 2-1.
Middlesboro’s other hit came in the fifth inning on another bunt as Keevi Betts was ruled safe at first on a questionable call. Betts stole second and came around to third with the potential tying run before Adams struck out cleanup hitter Reaghan Moyers to preserve the lead.
Skidmore led off the fifth inning with a triple but was left stranded as Middlesboro’s Kaylee Lawson retired the next three batters. Lawson gave up five runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
“Any time you play Middlesboro they will bring their best. In the 52nd District it’s a given that anyone can beat anyone. It’s a very underrated and competitive district,” Burton said.
“This district is very balanced and competitive,” added Gilbert.
Harlan County improved to 4-0 in district play and 8-17 overall with the win. Middlesboro fell to 1-4 in the district and 9-13 overall.
Middlesboro will be at home against Harlan on Friday in another key district battle. Harlan County will play host to Whitley County on Friday.
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Middlesboro 001 000 0 — 1. 2. 4
Harlan County 101 003 x — 5. 9. 3
Kaylee Lawson and Middleton; Adams and Burton. WP — Adams (8-8). LP — Lawson.
