Facing one of the 13th Region’s best pitchers while riding a nine-game losing streak was not an ideal situation for a freshman-dominated Harlan squad Friday against the Harlan County Lady Bears and junior lefty Alexis Adams.

Adams dominated, as you might expect, as she took a perfect game into the sixth inning, but Harlan and eighth grader Adelynn Lewis kept the game close before the Lady Bears pulled out a 5-2 victory for their seventh straight win and 10th in 13 games this season.

Adams walked Gracie Hensley to open the sixth inning, then walked Lewis with two outs before Taylor Glenn broke up the no-hitter and shutout with a two-run double to left. Adams retired the next four to complete the one-hitter with six strikeouts and two walks.

“Any time you play Harlan there will be some emotions. Lexi stayed composed the entire game. When she walked two like that in the past she might have spiraled out of control, but she didn’t do that at all today,” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said. 

“She did a great job. You can tell she has the experience behind her,” Harlan coach Scott Lewis said of Adams.

Freshman shortstop Jordyn Smith led the HCHS offense with a double in the first inning and a home run in the sixth. Raegan Landa had an RBI triple, and Carmen Thomas added an RBI double. Adams and Aniston Burton had singles.

“We had four freshmen, a sophomore and a seventh grader out there today, so for a lot of them it was their first high school district game,” said Burton of the Lady Bears’ slow start offensively. “I’m proud of them. I like close games like this because you always learn something.”

Lewis scattered six hits with 13 strikeouts and four walks as she pitched a complete game for the 1-10 Lady Dragons, who lost seven starters to graduation from a two-time district championship team that finished 18-9 last season.

“I’m proud of the girls. I think they’ve settled down a little bit,” Lewis said. “I think they were a little overwhelmed with all the competition at first. Addy will keep us in the game. We have to make plays behind her, and we have to hit. I think we’re starting to get our nerves calmed down so we can play a little bit.”

Harlan County plays at Rockcastle County on Saturday. Harlan travels to Bell County on Monday for another district clash.

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Harlan County 001 112 0 — 5. 6. 0

Harlan 000 001 0 — 2. 1. 2

Adams and Miniard; Lewis and Crow. WP — Adams (7-2). LP — Lewis (1-7). HR — Smith (2).