CORBIN — It was a thrilling game that had everything a fan could ask for.
Two top pitchers facing off, matching each other pitch for pitch and combining for an incredible 35 strikeouts.
Lynn Camp and Pineville both had their eyes set on the 51st District championship, and they battled it out for 10 intense innings.
With the game tied at two in the bottom of the 10th, the Lady Wildcats finally broke through. Charity Steele stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. After working the count to 2-1, she hit what seemed like a routine pop up. However, the ball was dropped, allowing Emma Burnette to sprint home from third base and score the game-winning run while giving her team a 3-2 win in the process.
“We came into this game knowing it was going to be a battle,” Lynn Camp coach Nikki Hendrix said. “We also knew that when we got runners on base, we had to find creative ways to move them into scoring position because it’s hard to score on Rachel. The top of our lineup really came through tonight with several hits and everyone on the team played good solid defense.
“Jorja Carnes pitched another great game and her location was spot on,” she added. “She struck out 18 batters and recorded her 200th strikeouts as well. This was 100 percent a team effort, from the starting nine, to our pinch runners, and to the players in the dugout cheering. It feels great to be district champs again, these girls have worked so hard this season and I couldn’t be more happier for them.
“Our side of the bleachers were full and they were cheering every play,” Hendrix continued. “I want to thank all the fans that came out and supporting us. We have the best fans around!! I also want to give a shout out to my husband and assistant coach, Darrell. We have been on this softball journey together for 11 years and I couldn’t have done it without him.”
The Lady Wildcats (23-11) held a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning when the Lady Mountain Lions scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at six apiece.
Lynn Camp had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with two outs but Pineville’s Rachel Howard got out of the jam.
Howard reached second base due to an error in the top of the ninth, but was left stranded at third base after Lynn Camp’s Jorja Carnes was able to end the winning with a strikeout.
Howard retired the side in order during the bottom of the ninth while Carnes did the same in the top of the 10th.
The Lady Wildcats’ Burnette led off the bottom of the 10th with a single but the Lady Mountain Lions looked as if they were going to force an 11th inning after Howard recorded two consecutive outs.
But that’s when Lynn Camp began to rally.
A single by Partin and an intentional walk to Allison Messer loaded the bases, leading to Steele’s pop up that turned into the winning run.
Both Carnes and Howard dominated throughout the contest with Carnes pitching 10 innings while allowing three hits and two earned runs. The most important stat she put up — 18 strikeouts.
Howard’s numbers were almost identical — tossing 9 2/3 of an inning while allowing 11 hits and two earned runs. She struck out 17 batters.
Partin led the way at the plate with a 3-for-5 effort while driving in a run and scoring once. Chelsea Hendrickson had three hits and scored once while Lily Henize finished with two hits. Messer had a hit and an RBI while Carnes and Burnette had a hit apiece.
Howard led Pineville with two hits and an RBI while Addison Slone finished with an RBI and a run scored. Rayanna Maidon finished with a hit and a run scored.
