Power, pitching and defense proved to a successful formula for the Harlan Lady Dragons this week to win the program’s first 52nd District title since 2004, capped by a down-to-the-wire 4-3 victory Tuesday over Harlan County at the HCHS field.
Harlan built a 4-0 lead with the help of a couple of early homers — a two-run shot by Abbi Fields in the second inning and a solo homer by Addison Jackson. But then the Lady Dragons had to hold off a rally by Harlan County that included two runs in the fourth inning and one run in the sixth.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them. I’m excited for them,” Harlan coach David Overbay said. “They toughed it out. They made a lot of great plays and did what they needed to do to finish.
“We knew Harlan County would continue to battle. (Harlan County coach) Shelby (Burton) has done a great job. Both teams have a great bunch of kids.”
“They came out here and gave me everything they had. I’m proud of these girls. They battled for two games, and we still have more ball to play,” Burton said. “Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.”
After being held in check by Harlan’s Mallory McNiel through three innings, the Harlan County offense came alive in the fourth as Jade Burton led off with a single and scored on Brittleigh Estep’s triple. Rylie Maggard brought in the second run with a ground out.
Lesleigh Brown singled with two outs in the sixth inning, and courtesy runner Braylen Gilley came around the score with the help of Harlan’s only two errors of the night on back-to-back plays.
Harlan’s defense was stellar the entire game except for the sixth inning as the Lady Bears came up empty on numerous hard hit balls. Junior shortstop Ella Farley made several of the big defensive plays, capped by the relay throw of the season in the seventh inning. Halanah Shepherd was hit by a pitch with one out in the seventh inning and appeared on her way to scoring the tying run when Burton hit a rocket to the fence in left-center. Ava Nunez threw the ball to Farley who was able to cut down Shepherd at the plate with a strong throw to Jackson.
“That was a big play. They’ve done it all year,” Overbay said. “I can’t say enough about Addison behind the plate, I don’t think she’s given up a passed ball all season.:”
“In a game like that, with Halanah rounding the bases, there was no choice but to send her in that moment,” Burton said. “That’s something I have to take with me, but if I had to do it all over again I would send her because she will make it 99 out of 100 times.”
Alexis Adams shook off a slow start to to finish with a two-hitter for the Lady Bears that included four strikeouts and four walks.
McNiel gave up two runs on six hits in four innings with one strikeout and no walks. Jordyn Smith allowed one run on three hits in three innings to earn the save.
Burton pounded out a double and single and Aviya Halcomb had two singles for the 14-19 Lady Bears. Estep added a triple, while Madison Blair, Jenna WIlson, Shepherd and Lesleigh Brown added one single each.
Harlan (13-18) scored once in the first inning when Smith was by a pitch and came around to score on two HC errors.
Fields, who earned tournament most valuable player honors, hit her third home of the tournament after McNiel had walked in the second inning.
“I’m proud of Abbi. The last two weeks she’s gotten out of her slump and has done what she needed to,” Overbay said.
Both teams advance to the 13th Region Tournament next week at Lynn Camp.
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Harlan 121 000 0 — 4. 2. 2
Harlan County 000 201 0 — 3. 9. 3
McNiel, Smith (5) and Jackson; Adams and Burton. WP — McNiel (9-13). LP — Adams (14-10). SV — Smith. HR — Fields (7), Jackson (9).