BARBOURVILLE — Whitley County committed nine errors which led to six unearned runs during its 10-5 loss to Knox Central on Monday.
The Lady Colonels’ (4-12) miscues proved to be key again, and something they couldn’t overcome despite taking an early 3-1 lead into the bottom of the third inning.
Knox Central (3-6) scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning while adding two more runs in the fourth inning to take a 7-3 lead.
Whitley County responded with two runs in the fifth inning but the Lady Panthers added three insurance runs in the sixth inning to snap their three-game losing skid.
“We simply cannot continue to make as many errors as we have been making,” Whitley County coach Angela Singleton said. “Our hitting isn’t where we want or need it to be, but our defense isn’t helping us at all.”
Knox Central pitcher Savannah Thacker got the win, going all seven innings while allowing seven hits, and two earned runs while striking out a batter.
Jayme Swafford connected with a home run in the win while finishing with two hits, an RBI, and two runs scored. Sydney Grubb was 3-for-4 with two RBI while Hannah Melton went 2-for-4 for the Lady Panthers with two RBI, and two runs scored.
Ryleigh Petrey led the Lady Colonels with a 2-for-4 effort. She drove in two runs, and scored twice while Amber Brown had two hits, and scored three times. Morgan Huddleston finished with one hit and two RBI while Adalee Johnson turned in a 1-for-3 effort with one RBI. Jayden Barton had a hit.
Mackenzie Lunsford took the loss, pitching a complete game while allowing 10 hits, and four earned runs. She struck out seven batters.
