Harlan County won its second straight league tournament title in the Kentucky Middle School Fast Pitch Conference by rolling past Lynn Camp, Bell County and Harlan.
The Lady Bears defeated Harlan in the finals for the second straight year with a 10-5 victory Saturday at Bell County.
“We knew we had talent, but graduating five starters from last year’s 19-5 conference championship team wasn’t easy. With only two eighth graders, we’re still a young group, but they stepped up and met the standard we set,” Harlan County coach Andrew Burton said. “Even after getting down early, I had full confidence in this group. They have the heart to fight back, and our hitting has been there for us all year.”
Khloe Daniels led HCHS at the plate and in the circle as she scattered seven hits while striking out six and walking four. She led a nine-hit attack with a double and single. Campbell Thompson and Cayleean Yount added doubles. Aniston Burton, Bella Ford, Lexi Boggs, Yount, Zoey Reed and Maddy Barrett added one single each.
Addisyn Estes led Harlan with a double and single and three RBI. Kennedy Estes singled twice. Gracie Estes, Jerrah Phillips and Averi Jenkins had one single each.
Lillian Daniels gave up 10 runs (nine earned) on nine hits with nine strikeouts and two walks.
Daniels pitched a two-hitter with one strikeout and three walks as Harlan County defeated Bell County 13-3 in the semifinals.
Yount scored three runs and drove in two with a homer and two walks. Daniels and Boggs each had doubles. Burton, Boggs and Thompson added one single each.
Harlan County rolled to a 16-2 win over Lynn Camp in the quarterfinals.
Ford drove in four runs with three singles and three runs scored. Daniels drove in two runs with a triple and two singles. Lexi Boggs had a triple, double and single. Aniston Burton doubled twice. Yount added a triple. Reed and Yount had singles.
Burton pitched three innings with six strikeouts and eight walks. Daniels struck out three and allowed one hit in one shutout inning.
The Lady Bears improved to 28-2 with the three wins.
