Timely hitting broke open a close game and another solid performance inside the circle by Adelynn Lewis sealed the deal Monday afternoon in an 8-4 win by the Harlan softball team over host Bell County in the 52nd District opener for both teams.
The win by the Lady Dragons ended a 10-game losing streak.
With one out in the top of the fifth inning, Harlan snapped a 4-4 tie by scoring three runs. A two-run single off the bat of Harmonee Mills accounted for the eventual winning run, and a run-scoring single by Addyson Patton scored Mills to make it 7-4.
Lewis then shut the door on the Lady Cats over the final three innings to earn the win. Lewis pitched seven innings, yielded five hits and five walks, to go along with 11 strikeouts.
Harlan jumped out to an early lead with four runs in its half of the fourth inning. After an intentional walk to Mills scored Jordyn Shackleford with the Lady Dragons’ first run, a single by Lewis plated Chrissy Saylor, and a two-run double by Patton made it 4-0.
Bell County (5-3) answered with four runs of its own in the bottom of the fourth frame. A bases-loaded walk by Lewis scored Kenley Foster, and two batters later a double by Adyson Scott made it 4-3. Kyleigh Allen later scored on a passed ball to knot the count, but the Lady Cats were kept off the scoreboard for the balance of the contest.
Saylor and Patton each collected a double, a single and two RBI for the Lady Dragons, who collected 12 hits as a team. Mills, Daria Lee and Gracie Hensley each recorded two hits for Harlan, and Hensley collected a pair of RBI. Addison Campbell and Shackleford each collected a hit.
The Lady Cats got two hits, apiece, from Scott and Foster, while teammate Raeghan Moyers was the lone other Bell County player to touch Lewis for a safety.
Next up for Harlan (2-10) is a home game Monday against Middlesboro. Bell County travels Tuesday to Williamsburg, before returning home Thursday to face Middlesboro.
Harlan 0004310 – 8.12.0
Bell County 0004000 – 4.5.1
Lewis and Patton; Scott and Redmond. WP – Lewis (2-7). LP – Scott (5-3).
