PAINTSVILLE – Pikeville rallied from a two-run deficit in the middle innings to secure a berth in this week’s girls’ state softball tournament with a come-from-behind 6-3 win over Lawrence in the 15th Region championship game played at Johnson Central High School on June 2.
Pikeville, now 31-8-1, battled back to pull even on Camryn Slone’s RBI single, followed by eighth-grader Kendal Hall’s first of two doubles which plated the go-ahead run.
Eighth-grade pitching standout Emily Ford battled a tough Lawrence County lineup and left runners on base in the fourth, fifth and seventh to earn the win. She allowed six hits and did not allow a run after the third inning.
Lindsey McNamee had a pair of hits and drove in three runs while Alexis Stanley, named the tournament’s most valuable player had four hits, including a triple.
Ciana Bowen suffered the loss for the Lady Bulldogs, who saw their season end at 28-9.
Pikeville will face Clay County, winner of the 13th Region, at 6 p.m. EST on Thursday in Owensboro.
At Paintsville
(15th Region championship)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
PK (31-8-1)…100 032 0 – 6-10-1
LC (28-)……102 000 0 – 3-6-3
Pitching:
WP – Emily Ford
LP – Ciana Bowen
Hitting: Alexis Stanley 3b, 3-1b; Lindsey McNamee 2-1b, 3 RBI; Kendal Hall 2-2b, 1 RBI, Pikeville.
All-tournament team:
Alexis Stanley (MVP), Emily Ford, Lindsey McNamee, Lindsey Lockhart, Pikeville; Ciana Bowen, Halli Caudill, MacKenzie Methex, Lawrence County; Macy Daniel, Lindsay Stambaugh, Johnson Central; Kylea Stanley, Kaylee Thomas, Pike Central; Taylor Maynard, Belfry; Rheannah Spurlock, Floyd Central; Emily Adkins, Shelby Valley; and Taylor Stumbo, Paintsville.
Pikeville…………9
Johnson Central….0
PAINTSVILLE – Pikeville exploded for six runs in the top of the first inning and went on to blank host Johnson Central, 9-0, in the 15th Region softball tournament semifinal matchup played on Friday.
Lindsey McNamee had a pair of hits and drove in two runs as the Lady Panthers, now 30-8-1, advanced to the championship game against Lawrence County.
Lindsey Lockhart had a pair of RBI while Camryn Slone, Alexis Stanley and Kelcie Adams had a pair of hits each.
Emily Ford stuck out 12 batters to earn the win.
Alyssa Hedrick took the loss as the Lady Eagles ended the year at 17-10.
At Paintsville
(15th Region semifinals)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
PK (30-8-1)…600 002 1 – 9-13-2
JC (17-10)…..000 000 0 – 0- 3-3
Pitching:
WP – Emily Ford
LP – Alyssa Hedrick
Hitting: Lindsey McNamee 2h, bb, 2 RBI; Lindsey Lockhart 2 RBI; Camryn Slone 2h; Alexis Stanley 2h; Kelcie Adams 2h, Pikeville.