With Pineville’s Rachel Howard and Harlan County’s Alexis Adams locked in a pitchers’ duel for the third time in less than a year, the Harlan County Lady Bears were one big hit away from taking the lead numerous times as they left seven runners stranded through five innings of a scoreless game.
Seventh grader Cayleeann Yount finally came up with the big hit the Lady Bears needed with two outs and two runners on in the bottom of the sixth inning, ripping a two-run single past Pineville second baseman Monica Whitehead for the only runs in a 2-0 Harlan County win.
After losing 2-1 to Howard in last year’s regional tournament and 1-0 earlier this season at Pineville, Adams was on the winning side this time as she pitched a two-hitter with 13 strikeouts and no walks, facing only one batter over the minimum in the game.
Howard allowed two runs on seven hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks as the Lady Lions lost their fifth straight game and fell to 9-12 on the season.
Kameran Evans had a bunt single in the fourth inning before being thrown out at second to complete a double play after a strikeout. Howard singled with two outs in the seventh inning for the only other Pineville hit.
Freshman shortstop Jordyn Smith led the 16-13 Lady Bears with a double and two singles. Yount singled twice with both RBIs. Raegan Landa and Jaylin Robinson added one single each.
Harlan County had two runners reach base in three of the first four innings, but Howard worked out of trouble each time. Smith led off the fifth with a double on a ball that was allowed to drop in l, but Howard struck out the next three to end the threat. Landa opened the sixth with a single to right, then moved to second on Bella Miniard’s sacrifice bunt. Kendall Brock was safe on a fielder’s choice on a bunt hit back to Howard, who held the runner at third as Brock raced all the way to second with no one covering. Yount then came up with the hit of the game to bring in both runners.
The Lady Bears return to action Monday against Harlan in the 52nd District Tournament at Middlesboro. Pineville will play Lynn Camp at home on Monday in the 51st District Tournament.
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Harlan County was limited to five hits Thursday in an 8-1 loss at Corbin.
Adams led the Lady Bears with a double and single. Aly Sherman, Smith and Robinson added one single each .
Adams gave up six runs (four earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk in five inning. Maddy Fields allowed two runs on four hits in one inning.
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Pineville 000 000 0 — 0. 2. 2
Harlan County 000 002 x — 2. 7. 0
Howard and Maidon; Adams and Robinson. WP — Adams (12-10). LP — Howard.
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Harlan County 000 000 1 — 1. 5. 4
Corbin 201 212 x — 8. 12. 1
Adams, Fields (6) and Robinson; Santos, Stamper (7) and Bays. WP — Santos. LP — Adams (11-10).
