(Editor’s note: this story did not appear before the Lady Dawg game last night because of our down time Friday. We think the community deserves to see it. We will have the results of last night’s game soon.)
Lexington, Ky. — On Friday night in the first round of the KHSAA State softball tournament it will be the Lawrence Co. Bulldogs ( 30-4 ) versus the McCracken Co. Mustangs ( 30-7 ) at John Cropp Stadium on the campus of the University of Kentucky.
The 15th Region Champs headed to Lexington
Front L to R Braylee Triplett, Addalyn Woods, Abby Maynard, Hallie Adkins, Dani Crum, Zoe Bartley, Lexi Crum, Aleaha Gillispie, Baleigh Blackburn
Back L to R Gracie Preece, Jaylee Maxie, Leah Branham, Jada Patton, Bree Jones, Brooklyn Ellis, Abby Nelson, Ella Smith, Taylor Blevins, Millie Sammons
The Bulldogs are the 15th Region champs and will be making their third appearance in the state tournament. They went 0-2 in 2010 and went 1-2 in 2008 with the lone victory over Reidland 2-1 who consolidated with Heath and Lone Oak to form McCracken Co. in 2013-14.
Lawrence Co. is strong from top to bottom offensively and has a overall team batting average of .450 they have scored 381 runs, with 10 different girls hitting home runs this season for a total of 30, they have also smacked 93 doubles, 24 triples, stolen 180 bases and walked 90 times.
Senior catcher and UPike signee Dani Crum leads the way with a .565 batting average, team best 52 runs batted in, scored 57 times, 71 total hits including 15 doubles, 7 triples, also has 5 home runs and has only struck out 1 team this entire year.
Centerfielder and leadoff hitter Bree Jones is hitting .537 with 1 homer and is the team leader in walks with 15 and stolen bases with 35 and only been caught 3 times.
8th Grade Rightfielder Jada Patton is hitting .519 with 1 homer and was the MVP of the 15th region tournament.
Senior First baseman/DH Abby Nelson is hitting .424 with 4 homers and a team high 6 HBP. The 8th Grade middle infield combo of second baseman Hallie Adkins and shortstop Addalyn Woods is hitting .410 and .365 respectively and Woods has belted four homers as well.
Junior third baseman Abby Maynard is hitting .359 with 1 homer and Sophomore Leftfielder Ella Smith is hitting .385 with a game winning homer against Johnson Central. Senior utility player Jaylee Maxie has homered twice and is hitting .471. The Dawgs are doing all this without Junior Gracie Preece who was lost for the season with an injury halfway through the season. Preece was hitting .471 when she got hurt in practice.
These 10 ladies have combined to hit 30 home runs this season.
Front L to R Addalyn Woods, Abby Maynard, Dani Crum, Ella Smith, Taylor Blevins
Back L to R Jaylee Maxie, Bree Jones, Brooklyn Ellis, Jada Patton, Abby Nelson
On the pitching side for the Dawgs it is a double headed monster with Sophomores Taylor Blevins who is 15-2 with a 2.29 era, 116 strikeouts in 100.2 innings of work and Brooklyn Ellis who is 12-2 with a 2.51 era, 121 strikeouts in 75.1 innings in the circle. Ellis is also the team leader in home runs with 10 this year and sports a .424 batting average. Blevins is hitting .273 and has homered once.
The Mustangs are the 1st Region Champs and will be making their 10th appearance in the state tournament including a state championship in 2015 and runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2014.
McCracken Co. is lead by Senior catcher Karleigh Grace Walker has hit 6 homers with a .505 batting average. Senior utility player Raygan Rodgers is hitting .421 and Junior Savanah McDowell is the team leader in home runs with 7 and is hitting .354 on the year. Senior Elle Shoulders is batting .410 and is the team leader in stolen bases with 31.
Sophomore Addley Leidecker is the teams top pitcher with an 18-2 record a 1.71 era in 119.1 innings of work and struck out 91 batters. Senior Anna Kate Hawes has pitched 60.1 innings, with a 3.02 era and has a record of 7-4 with 45 strikeouts.
The winner will play on Saturday night at 8:30 versus the winner of the 1:00 game on Friday between Henderson Co. ( 32-5 ) and Anderson Co. ( 26-11 ).
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Justin Adkins
COACH’S COMMENTS
“…Yes it has sunk and it feels great, all of the girls are excited and we have had a really good week of practice. We are going to go down today and check out some games and get a good practice in the morning and prepare.”
“… It’s really been a great week. I know they were really happy to win the region. We conveyed this week that we are just happy getting to Lexington and they have taken a good approach this week. For these seniors it could be the last practice and the last game because it’s one and done. It’s a team effort to make sure that doesn’t happen and I’m sure they are going to give it all they got tomorrow night.”
“… McCracken Co. has a lot of team speed and some power as well. They have multiple pitchers with low era’s in the circle. If we can keep them off the bags and cut the stolen bases down will be a big plus for us.”
“… It’s been normal this week with the same people and maybe a few more out here at practice this week. A lot of people supporting for the radio station to be able to go down and broadcast and help out the team anyway they can. And we really appreciate that for sure. I know our fans will travel and well and try and fill those stands down in Lexington and we are excited about that.”
“… It’s a business trip that’s for sure, it’s not summer break just yet.”
Lawrence Co. Sophomore Taylor Blevins
“…We had three goals coming into this season, which were to win the Class 2A section, 58th District and the 15th Region Championship and we are now headed to the State Tournament in Lexington. Growing up you always dream of playing on the big stage and that dream is becoming real life.”
“… Going into this game Friday night we need to leave it all out there and just play free while not getting caught up in the big moment. I’m ready to see what we can do.”
“… I’m thankful that we are able to have an opportunity like this. I just want to thank the coaches and the parents throughout the years that have that have lust so much into making us the players we are today. And helped getting us to this moment. There is no other place like LC.”
