MANCHESTER — Clay County and Whitley County hooked up in an exciting 13th Region battle on Friday with the Lady Tigers doing just enough to pull off a 9-7 win over the Lady Colonels.
Clay County built a 6-1 lead in the first inning and led 7-2 entering the fifth inning before Whitley County added four runs in the top half of the fifth to cut its deficit to 7-6.
The Lady Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the inning while the Lady Colonels pushed a run across in the sixth inning, making the score 9-7, but couldn’t get any closer.
“We struggled to start the game,” Whitley County coach Angela Singleton said. “Pitching and defense were not where we needed them to be to start the game against a good hitting team.
They did make adjustments in the box much quicker tonight which helped us get runs on the board. We definitely still have things we need to work on and we will do that to improve for the rest of the season.”
Clay County’s Anna Samples hit two home runs in the win while finishing with three hits, four RBI, and three runs scored. Madison Sizemore added two hits, and RBI, and two runs scored while Presley Griffin, Abby Bowling, and Ella Samples finished with two hits apiece. Carlie Wolfe and Sydney Stewart drove in run apiece for the Lady Tigers (1-1).
Alicia Hoskins pitched 5.1 innings allowing four earned runs and seven hits while striking out four batters. Bowling pitched the final 1.2 innings, while allowing no runs or no hits.
Caylee Singleton led Whitley County (1-3) with two hits and two RBI while Jayden Barton delivered two hits, and scored once. Madison Lunsford had a hit and an RBI while Cambree Price finished with a hit and a run scored. Morgan Huddleston finished with a hit and two runs scored while Hallie Huddleston had an RBI and scored once. Adalee Johnson scored once.
Johnson allowed two hits and four earned runs in the pitcher’s circle while Singleton tossed six innings, surrendering 10 hits and three earned runs while striking out two batters.
