CORBIN — For the first time since 2021, the North Laurel Lady Jaguars are 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament champions.
Chris Edwards’ Lady Jaguars captured a state record 19th region championship by dethroning crosstown rival South Laurel as region champions with a 6-3 win on Thursday.
North Laurel (27-9) got the job done in the pitcher’s circle and at the plate as Emma Carl followed her no-hit effort against Corbin in the semifinals with another impressive performance against the Lady Cardinals (28-10).
Carl, the 13th Region Tournament MVP, tossed a complete game, limiting South Laurel’s potent offense to six hits and only three runs while striking out three batters.
“Another great game tonight from my girls and it came at a great time,” Edwards said. “We got another wonderful game from Emma in the circle. Three runs on six hits against that team is very impressive. Even more so after she threw 100 pitches the day before. I know it may get tiring to hear me say it but it starts with pitching and defense. Defense was on point again also. Only one error tonight and that runner didn’t score but otherwise we were perfect. That’s what it takes in the postseason.”
The Lady Jaguars’ top of the order got the job done against South Laurel pitcher Kenzie Williams.
The trio of Katie Sams, Sadie McClure and Bella Sizemore combined to go 8-for-13 with five RBI and three runs scored.
Sams was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored while McClure had three hits, one RBI and scored once. Sizemore collected two hits while driving in two runs. Carl finished with two hits and one run scored while Morgan Edwards had a hit and scored twice. Katie Keen delivered a hit as well.
“We had a bunch of hits tonight, too,” Edwards said. “Multiple hits from Katie Sams, Saige McClure, Bella Sizemore and Emma Carl. Hits from other girls as well. We seemed to have runners on but couldn’t get a big hit until late. We got two out hits in the sixth and seventh inning to stretch out the lead. All tournament team members were Katie Sams, Saige McClure, Bella Sizemore.”
North Laurel took a 1-0 lead in the first inning before the Lady Cardinals answered with two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead.
The Lady Jaguars tied the game at two apiece in the top of the fourth inning and took a 4-2 edge with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. South Laurel answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth to cut its deficit to 4-3, but North Laurel added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh to put the game away.
Williams took the loss, surrendering 13 hits, and six earned runs while striking out eight batters.
Addison Baker and Audrey Likins led the Lady Cardinals with two hits and an RBI apiece. Emmie Rice delivered a home run and finished with an RBI and a run scored while Skye Lawson had a hit and scored once.
The Lady Jaguars will be back in action in the first round of the KHSAA Fastpitch State Tournament at the University of Kentucky’s John Cropp Stadium. North Laurel will face-off against the 14th Region champion on Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m.
“I couldn’t be more happy for these girls, coaches and our fans,” Edwards said. “These seasons are such a grind. From open field and conditioning in the fall and winter to the road trips and bus rides, it a long tough journey. Nights and games like this make all of it worth it. We will take tomorrow off and get back to work Saturday. Definitely a great day to be a North Laurel Jaguar. Go Jags.”
