BARBOURVILLE — Top-seeded Pineville entered its 51st District semifinal matchup with Barbourville, struggling, losing four out of its past five games.
But things changed quickly once Rachel Howard got into the pitcher’s circle.
Howard dominated, tossing five innings while surrendering one hit, and no earned runs, and finishing with 12 strikeouts during the Lady Mountain Lions’ 11-1 win.
Pineville (10-9) will advantage to next week’s 13th Region Tournament at South Laurel High School while the Lady Tigers’ (2-24) season came to an end.
McKenzie Widener led the Lady Mountain Lions at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, five RBI, and one run scored. Howard was 3-for-3 with three RBI while Makenna Partin, and Gracie Collett each had run-scoring hits. Addison Slone finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored.
Pineville scored six runs in the first inning while adding two runs in the second inning, and three runs in the third inning.
