A Harlan County offense that was limited to one run or less in its first four games a year ago, is off to a much better start in 2025.
The Lady Bears collected 11 hits Monday in running their record to 2-1 with a 13-3 six-inning win over visiting Barbourville.
Senior catcher Jade Burton led the HCHS offense with a triple, two doubles and three RBI in three official at bats. Alexis Adams added two doubles and a sacrifice fly with three RBI. Madison Blair singled twice. Halanah Shepherd, Aviya Halcomb and Carmen Thomas added one single each.
“Overall, tonight was a great team win,” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said. “Every single girl on the team contributed whether that was in the field, a courtesy runner, or offensively at the plate. Our offensive performance looked better, but we still have to get better at bats by the bottom of our lineup.
Aly Sherman earned her second win in two starts as she gave up three runs on four hits with six strikeouts and five walks in five innings. Adams allowed one hit, walked one and struck out three in one inning.
Bailee Branstutter led Barbourville with a double and single. Carley Clark singled twice. Kyra Newsome added one single.
Two errors and.a Burton double helped the Lady Bears get off to a fast start. Shepherd brought in one run with a ground out, and Halcomb singled home another.
Blair singled to open the third inning, then scored on Burton’s triple. Adams followed with a sacrifice fly for a 5-0 lead.
Burton doubled home two more runs in the fourth inning after Sherman and Blair had one-out singles. Adams followed with an RBI double.
Adams doubled home a run and Shepherd followed with an RBI single in the fifth. Braylen Gilley’s grounder brought in a run before Thomas ended the game via the 10-run mercy rule with a pinch-hit single to right.
Harlan County will play host to the 2A, Section 7 Tournament on Tuesday with a game against Rockcastle County in the semifinals. Clay County will play the Whitley County/McCreary Central winner in the other semifinal. The championship game is set for Thursday.
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Barbourville 000 120 — 3. 5. 5
Harlan County 302 305 — 13. 11 1
McDonald and Evans; Sherman, Adams (5) and Burton. WP — Sherman (2-0). LP — McDonald.