With two of the 13th Region’s best pitchers in the circle, the odds seemed likely there wouldn’t be many hits Monday in Manchester.

The Harlan County Lady Bears and pitcher Alexis Adams needed only one to win 3-1. The Lady Bears capitalized on five walks in the fourth inning to produce three runs.

Adams made that stand up as she scattered seven hits with three strikeouts and three walks. The HC defense was also solid with only one error.

Clay’s Alivia Hoskins, who led the Lady Tigers to a 5-2 over HCHS on March 25 in the 2A Section 7 finals, had a shutout through three innings before losing command in the fourth inning. Jordyn Smith, Adams, Raegan Landa, Kendall Brock and Carmen Thomas drew consecutive walks in the fourth inning to produce two runs. Jaylin Robinson’s sacrifice fly brought in third run and marked the end of the night for Hoskins.

Casey Lust recorded the final out of the fourth and pitched 3 1/3 hitless innings with three strikeouts and one walk.

Landa had the only hit for the Lady Bears with a single to open the second inning. She advanced to third with no outs on an error on the play but was left stranded.

Harlan County (8-3) plays host to Knott Central on Tuesday and Knox Central on Thursday before traveling to Harlan on Friday.

———

Harlan County 000 300 0 — 3. 1. 1

Clay County 000 010 0 — 1. 7. 1

Adams and Robinson; Hoskins, Lust (4) and E. Samples. WP — Adams (5-2). LP — Hoskins.