Even though her Lady Bears had coasted through five district victories in five games, Harlan County coach Shelby Burton insisted several times that the 52nd District is a lot more competitive than her team had made it look to this point.
The Harlan Lady Dragons proved her right Tuesday, avenging a 15-0 loss at HCHS with a lethal combination of patience with the bat and aggressiveness on the base paths in a 12-8 victory.
“Hats off to Harlan. They came out and battled through the weather and showed any of the four teams can win on any given night,” Burton said.
Harlan (12-18 overall, 4-2 district) capitalized on nine walks and scored seven runs on wild pitches through a steady rain.
“These girls are ready to run when they get on the base paths, and we worked on some things just for this game,” Harlan coach David Overbay said. “They did everything right the first game and hit the cover off of it and deserved to win. They got caught up in the hoopla the last time but stayed focused. Hats off to Harlan County because they didn’t quit.”
Junior first baseman Abbi Fields hit her fourth home run of the season as part of a four-run sixth inning. Ella Lisenbee added a triple. Ella Farley singled twice. Gracie Hensley added one single and made two nice catches in left field to take away HCHS hits.
Mallory McNiel, the Lady Dragons’ only senior who was honored before the game in Senior Night festivities, started in the circle and gave up two runs on one hit in three-plus innings.
“This was for Mallory,” said Overbay. “We made a few mistakes, but they didn’t fold. They’ve really started to play better the last couple of weeks. They made the plays when they had to.”
Jordyn Smith earned the win as she allowed six runs on five hits with one strikeout and three walks.
Harlan County freshman Alexis Adams, coming off a no-hitter a night earlier, struggled with control as the rain grew more intense in the third inning. She gave up 12 runs on only five hits, but she walked nine and struck out five.
“Lexi is young, and I thought about pulling her, but she has to learn to battle through situations like this. This is a game where she had to figure out what she has to do in weather conditions like this,” Burton said. “We’re better than this as a team.”
Brittleigh Estep hit a three-run homer and Jade Burton added a two-run homer to lead Harlan County (12-18 overall, 5-1 district) on offense. Rylie Maggard singled twice. Madison Blair and Halanah Shepherd added one single each. Lesleigh Brown had a sacrifice fly.
Harlan County closes its regular season schedule Thursday at home against Knox Central and will play Bell County on Monday in the 52nd District Tournament at HCHS. Harlan will play Middlesboro in the second game of the 52nd District Tournament on Monday.
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Harlan County 000 321 2 — 8. 6 5
Harlan 004 404 x — 12. 5. 5
Adams and Burton; McNiel, Smith (4) and Jackson. WP — Smith (4-3). LP — Adams (12-9). HR: HC — Maggard (1), Burton (3); H — Fields (4).