CORBIN — Jackson County had defending 13th Region champion South Laurel on the ropes throughout the two teams’ 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament semifinal matchup but couldn’t deliver the final blow.
The Lady Generals took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning and was four outs away from reaching their first-ever championship game before the Lady Cardinals kept their repeat hopes alive.
Skye Lawson’s three-run double gave the Lady Cardinals a 5-4 lead while Amara Horn added an insurance run by driving in Lawson with a single.
Freshman hurler Kenzie Williams took care of business in the top of the seventh inning, forcing to fielder’s choices before securing South Laurel’s 6-4 victory with a strikeout, her eighth of the game.
“We have talked about being resilient all year and always fighting no matter what situation we are in,” South Laurel coach Carly Mink said. “We continue to focus on having good and productive at bats, tonight Skye and Amara stepped up big and provided timely hits when we were struggling early.”
Jackson County jumped on the Lady Cardinals early, scoring three runs while showing they were going to be a hard team to beat.
South Laurel responded with a run in the bottom of the first to cut its deficit to 3-1.
The Lady Generals held a two-run edge until the top of the sixth when they added another run to push their lead to 4-1.
But that’s when the Lady Cardinals’ bats caught fire as Lawson’s base-clearing double gave her team a 5-4 lead while Horn’s run-scoring single pushed South Laurel’s advantage to 6-4. Emma Rice also drove in a run during the inning with a sacrifice fly.
Jackson County attempted to rally in the top of the seventh but managed only one base runner.
Kenzie Williams picked up the win, pitching seven innings while allowing four hits and one earned run.
“Kenzie had to battle tonight and after they scored three in the top of first and only allowing one more run provided us with the opportunity that we had at the end of the game,” Mink said.
Lawson led the way at the plate with a hit, three RBI, and one run scored while Horn had a hit and drove in a run. Addison Baker finished with a hit and a run scored while Morgan Jackson scored once. Kenzie Williams finished with a hit while Bailey Frazier collected an RBI and drove in a run.
“Really proud of our team and being able to get to this point, it’s a testament to how hard these girls have worked to be able to get back to this game,” Mink said.
Lexi Brockman led Jackson County with a hit, an RBI, and a run scored while Emily Mays, Aubrey Estridge, and Baylee Berry finished with a hit apiece. Blakelynn Fee, Candice Williams, and Kylie Moore finished with a run apiece.
Candice Williams tossed six innings, allowing four hits and five earned runs while striking out eight batters.
Photos by Danny Vaughn
