LEXINGTON — Meet the ‘Rally Jags’.
Facing a four-run deficit and down to their final three outs, North Laurel made a one of the best stunning comebacks in the Fastpitch program’s rich history. They scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Boyd County, 5-4.
The Lady Jaguars, with a record of 30-9, are now just two wins away from winning their first state title since 2000.
They will play No. 25 ranked Assumption (31-11) in the semifinals on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Assumption advanced by defeating Highlands 3-2 and Daviess County 3-0.
“I’ve been around games literally my entire life and I can’t remember a game where the stakes were this high and being part of a comeback like this,” North Laurel coach Chris Edwards said. “A truly amazing day for these girls.
“This was a total team effort, too,” he added. “Only seven hits as a team but we also picked up four walks and two hit batters. Multiple hits from Bella Finley, Bella Sizemore and Katie Keen. Seemed like we had runners on base but couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it early.
“Then when we had runners on, we hit an absolute rocket to the first baseman, who made a nice play for the third out of that inning and we also hit into a double play with runners on,” Edwards continued. “A little bit unlucky through the first 6 innings. Of course the credit goes to Boyd County for causing all our issues. They may be the most sound defensive team we have played all year and their pitcher kept us off balance. They are very young and they are going to be a force in their region for a while.”
North Laurel’s bats were quiet throughout the contest but came alive when it mattered most.
Boyd County took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning while adding runs fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 4-0 lead into the top of the seventh.
Eighth grader Emma Carl led off the top of the seventh with a double while Bella Finley followed with a single to put runners on first and third. Morgan Edwards walked to load the bases while Katie Keen followed with a two-run double to cut the Lady Jaguars’ deficit to 4-2. Katie Sams was hit by a pitch to load the bases again while Saige McClure followed and was hit by a pitch, forcing a run home to make the score, 4-3.
The Lady Lions recorded an out while Braylee Fawbush hit into a fielder’s choice and scored Keen to tie the game at four apiece. Ellie Adams followed with a walk, scoring Sams to give North Laurel a 5-4 lead.
The Lady Jaguars failed to push across any more runs which set the stage for Carl to put an end to the game.
Carl bent but never broke in the pitcher’s circle the entire game, forcing three ground outs to lock up the Lady Jaguars’ 39th state tournament win.
“That seventh inning, man, I don’t know what to say,” Edwards said. “There is so much fight in these girls and never any quit. We told them when it is their turn to hit to pass the bat to the next hitter — no one make the first out. The first six hitters of the inning reached. I couldn’t be any more proud of them for this comeback today, what they’ve accomplished so far and whatever next weekend brings. We are gonna take off tomorrow and then get back to work Monday to get ready for Assumption. Go Jags.”
Carl is now 2-0 during state tournament play. She tossed another complete game on Saturday, allowing nine hits and three earned runs while striking out three batters. The defense behind her committed only one error and played mistake-free ball throughout the game.
“Emma was good again in the circle,” Edwards said. “She just answers the call every time I need her to. She also led off the seventh with the double that started that rally.”
Keen led North Laurel with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with two RBI and one run scored. Finley had two hits and scored once while Bella Sizemore finished with two hits. Carl had a hit and a run scored while Sams finished with a run scored. McClure, Fawbush and Adams drove in a run apiece.
