After battling through early-season injuries to key players, the Middlesboro Lady Jackets are healthier than they’ve been all season and playing some of their best softball at precisely the right time.
The return from injury by Addison Lawson and the full-season contributions by veterans Trinity Partin and Kolbi Mason have bolstered the Middlesboro offense for the latter stages of the current season, while sophomore Lily Partin continues to shine as the mound workhorse for the Lady Jackets.
All four played key roles in Middlesboro’s 13-2, five-inning win Friday over 52nd District foe, Harlan. The victory raised the Lady Jackets’ overall record to 10-12 and put the finishing touches on a 5-1 district slate. Middlesboro secured the top seed for the upcoming 52nd District Tournament early last week with a victory over Harlan County.
The Lady Jackets have won six of their last nine games.
Middlesboro wasted precious little time seizing control Friday against the Lady Dragons. The Lady Jackets scored four times in the opening inning and tacked on five runs in their half of the second frame to blow things wide open.
Lawson’s first-inning double opened the scoring, and Mason’s two-run, two-bagger later in the inning fueled the early rally by Middlesboro. The Lady Jackets scored their five runs in the second inning on just three hits, and capitalized on two walks and two hit-batsmen by Harlan pitcher Adelynn Lewis.
Aubrie Womack (double) had three hits for the Lady Jackets, who recorded nine hits as a team. Trinity Partin, Lawson (two doubles) and Mason each had two hits for Middlesboro.
Lily Partin went the distance in the circle for Middlesboro to earn her sixth win of the season, Partin surrendered two earned runs, four hits and walked one batter, while striking out four others.
Harlan (4-15, 2-4 district) got hits from Lewis, Christina Saylor, Gracie Hensley and Shaedyn Crow. Lewis was touched for 11 earned runs, nine hits and five walks, with six strikeouts.
Sandwiched between the two district wins, Middlesboro scored a 15-5, six-inning win Thursday over visiting Lynn Camp. The Lady Jackets scored four times in the first inning to take early command and then added 10 runs over the final three innings to secure the lopsided win.
Kenna Lawson (three runs, two RBI, three walks) and Kaprice Rogers (double) each had two hits for the Lady Jackets. Middlesboro also got hits from Womack, Addison Lawson (double, two runs, two RBI), Lily Partin (two RBI), Sarah Bayless, Mason (three RBI) and Jenna Baker.
Lily Partin pitched five innings and earned the win. She yielded one run, three hits, walked one batter and fanned three others.
Next up for Middlesboro is a Monday home game against cross-county rival Pineville. Harlan opens the final week of the regular season with a road game Monday at Lynn Camp.
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Friday
Harlan 002. 00 – 2.4.2
Middlesboro 450. 04 – 13.9.1
Lewis and Patton; L. Partin and Womack. WP – L. Partin (6-2). LP – Lewis (4-12).
