Visiting Middlesboro broke open a close game Monday by scoring four runs in the fifth inning and went on to post a 13-8 52nd District softball victory over Harlan.

The win by the Lady Jackets improved their overall record to 6-9 and 2-1 in district play. Harlan fell to 2-11 overall and 1-2 in district play.

A bases-clearing double in the opening inning by sophomore Lily Partin staked the Lady Jackets to an early 3-0 lead, before a pair of Middlesboro errors and a single by freshman Daria Lee in the bottom of the first frame resulted in four runs and staked the Lady Dragons to a short-lived lead.

A two-run double in the top of the third inning by junior Jenna Baker enabled Middlesboro to establish a lead it would not relinquish. A pair of wild pitches and two Harlan errors in the fifth inning were instrumental in the Lady Jackets’ four-run uprising.

Harlan outhit Middlesboro, 13-10, but was charged with eight errors. Taylor Glenn, Christina Saylor, Lee and Addison Campbell all collected a pair of hits for the Lady Dragons, while Adelynn Lewis, Jordyn Shackleford, and Addyson Patton each had a single for Harlan.

Lewis went the distance in the circle for Harlan, surrendering 10 hits and six walks, while striking out six Lady Jackets.

Middlesboro got three hits from senior Kenna Lawson, including a double, while Baker swatted a pair of doubles and drove in three runs. Trinity Partin, Aubrie Womack, Addison Lawson (double), Lily Partin and Kolbi Mason were each credited with a hit for the Lady Jackets.

Lily Partin pitched into the seventh inning for Middlesboro and was credited with the win. She yielded 10 hits, walked two batters and struck out four others.

Next up for Harlan is a road game Saturday at Pineville, while Middlesboro hosts district foe Harlan County on Tuesday.

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Middlesboro 3031411 – 13.10.8

Harlan 4000031 – 8.13.2

L. Partin, T, Partin (7) and Womack; Lewis and Crow. WP – L. Partin. LP – Lewis.