During a season in which they have won only eight games to this point, the Middlesboro Lady Jackets have saved their best for district opponents.

The Lady Jackets improved to 4-1 in district action and clinched the top seed in the 52nd District Tournament later this month with a 4-0 win Tuesday at Harlan County.

“We’re finally coming together,” Middlesboro coach Petie Gilbert said. “We had three goals with the All “A” and the district and region.”

Sophomore Lily Partin pitched the shutout for the 8-14 Lady Jackets, scattering six hits while striking out two and walking none. The Middlesboro defense provided plenty of support with several good plays and no errors.

“That’s an accomplishment for us to have no errors,” Gilbert said. “Lily has really stepped up and down a good job.”

Kenna Lawson recorded three of eight hits for the Lady Jackets with a double and two singles in four at bats. Addison Lawson had a double and single. Aubrie Womack added a two-run double. Kolbi Mason and Kaprice Rogers had singles.

Against a Middlesboro pitching staff that has given up over nine runs per game this year, the Lady Bears became their first shutout victim as their offensive woes continued in their fourth straight loss and ninth loss in 11 games.

“We’re in a tough spot mentally,” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said. “I think we’ll be OK. We started too good to give up now. It’s a hard game.”

Seventh-grader Aniston Burton led the 12-12 Lady Bears with two singles. Aly Sherman, Jordyn Smith and Jaylin Robinson added singles.

Freshman Maddy Fields started in the circle and gave up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Alexis Adams allowed only hit over three innings with two strikeouts and no walks.

Kenna Lawson singled with two outs in the first inning and scored the first run on a double by Addison Lawson.

Trinity Partin walked in the third inning and scored on Kenna Lawson’s hit.

Singles by Mason and Rogers preceded Womack’s two-out, two-run double.

The Lady Jackets play host to Lynn Camp on Thursday and Harlan on Friday. The Lady Bears travel to Barbourville on Thursday and Knott Central on Friday.

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Middlesboro 101 200 0 — 4. 8. 0

Harlan County 000 000 0 — 0. 6. 0

L. Partin and Womack; Fields, Adams (5) and Robinson. WP — L. Partin. LP — Fields (2-2).