Morehead, Ky. — Lawrence Co. ( 23-12 ) ended the regular season on a high note after a 6-4 victory over Estill Co. ( 17-15 ) Saturday afternoon at Rowan Co. High school.
Allie Triplett fires a strike against Estill Co.
The Dawgs scored four runs in the bottom of the first and then held on for the victory in the last regular season game.
Allie Triplett went two innings to get the victory. She also singled and scored a run. Taylor Blevins picked up the save going the final five innings.
Bree Jones singled and scored a run, Dani Crum doubled, drove in one and scored twice, Kensley Feltner tripled, drove in one and scored a run, Jada Patton doubled and scored, Abby Nelson had two RBIs, Gracie Preece had one hit.
Dani Crum races toward third in the first inning against Estill Co.
Rowan Co. 9 Lawrence Co. 8 ( Saturday )
The Dawgs lost another one run game their eighth of the season this time to the Vikings ( 28-4 ).
The Bulldogs trailed 7-1 before scoring seven runs in the sixth inning to take the lead. Rowan Co. answered right back by scoring two in the bottom half and went on for the victory.
Bree Jones had another productive day on Saturday against Rowan Co. and Estill Co.
Bree Jones had two hits including a double and scored once, Dani Crum doubled and scored twice, Abby Nelson singled, drove in two runs and scored once, Allie Triplett had one RBI and scored a run, Gracie Preece singled and drove in a run, Kensley Feltner and Abby Maynard scored a run each.
Taylor Blevins took the loss in the circle tossing six innings, allowed six earned runs, eleven hits and struck out four. On offense she singled and drove in a run.
Pike Co. Central 4 Lawrence Co. 3 ( Friday )
The Dawgs traveled to Buckley’s Creek and suffered another one run loss.
Kensley Feltner doubled twice and knocked in three runs, Dani Crum had two hits including a double and scored two runs, Bree Jones singled and Allie Triplett scored a run.
Allie Triplett was the losing pitcher in the circle for the Dawgs after throwing six innings, struck out four, allowed two earned runs and seven hits.
Lawrence Co. 9 Boyd Co. 5 ( Thursday )
The Dawgs came away with a much needed victory on the road in Cannonsburg against a good Boyd Co. ( 24-8 ) team.
Taylor Blevins was the winning pitcher tossing a complete game four hitter, only allowed one earned run and struck out three. She also singled offensively.
Dani Crum had three hits including a home run and a double, three RBIs and scored two runs, Allie Triplett doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored a run, Kensley Feltner had two hits including a double and had two RBIs, Gracie Preece had two hits including a double and scored a run, Bree Jones had two hits and scored a run, Abby Nelson and Abby Maynard singled and scored a run, Braylee Triplett and Ella Smith scored a run each.
Letcher Co. Central 3 Lawrence Co. 2 ( Wednesday )
The Bulldogs made the long trek to Whitesburg and fell once again by one run to a good Cougar club who improved to 22-11 on the season.
Taylor Blevins pitched well but suffered the defeat, gave up six hits, one earned run and struck out two.
Abby Nelson doubled and knocked in a run, Gracie Preece singled and scored a run, Allie Triplett singled and knocked in a run, Jaylee Maxie and Blevins both singled and Dani Crum scored a run.
The Dawgs will play Prestonsburg ( 3-20 ) in the first round of the 58th District tournament at Floyd Central on Monday at 5:30.
Floyd Central ( 9-15 ) will play Betsy Layne ( 13-10 ) in the second game Monday at approximately 7:30.
Championship game is slated for Wednesday at 6:00.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Kenny Horn
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… To lose eight games in a season is tough but to lose eight one run games is really tough to swallow. My goal every year is to play 36 games in the regular season and to give my kids every opportunity to step on the field and and to get better, and if I don’t I feel like I’m not doing my job. It’s unfortunate that other athletic directors and principals that allow coaches to cancel games and run from competition. I would put our schedule up against anyone’s.”
“… I wouldn’t trade our team for any other team. We have an opportunity and I think it is a three or four team race in our region. You really never know in postseason but I like our chances.”
“… Letcher Central was a long drive on a school night but it was the team that I could get to play us. We gave it to them on a crazy play that could have been something you talk about for a long time, but we just couldn’t come up with it. They are a good team and you need to play clean to win those and we didn’t.”
“… Our kids were ready for Boyd Co. They were up and the energy was high. We broke out and had 14 hits off a good pitcher who was 11-1 on the year. Played fairly clean but made some mistakes running bases or that could have been over in 5 innings. Pitched really well and came out with a good win. Loved the energy.”
“… Not sure what it is about Pike Co. Central? That kid has our number. We left too many in scoring position with 2-3-4-5 coming to the plate. We let that one get away from us. I’m sure if we play well enough that we will see them again and I’m looking forward to it. We have led the state in scoring for the biggest part of the year and now we can’t catch a break. That’s the game though, we have to keep grinding.”
