Prestonsburg, Ky. — Bree Jones had five hits and Addalyn Woods homered to help Lawrence Co. (29-4) to a 12-9 victory over Johnson Central (25-15) in the semifinals of the 15th Region Softball Tournament at Stonecrest Tuesday.
Bree Jones gets a fist bump from first base coach Bobby Preece after a leadoff single.
Jones went 5-5 with a double, scored three times and had one RBI, Jada Patton went 4-5 with a double and a triple, had three runs batted in and two runs scored, Woods had two hit, two runs batted in and scored once, Brooklyn Ellis had two hits including a double and drove in two runs, Abby Nelson singled and had two RBIs, Hallie Adkins singled, had one RBI and scored once, Abby Maynard singled and scored two runs, Ella Smith singled and scored a run and Jaylee Maxie scored two runs.
Addalyn Woods with her home run softball.
Ellis started and went 5 2/3 innings to get the win. Taylor Blevins got the final four outs to earn the save.
Taylor Blevins awaits the signal from catcher Dani Crum.
The Bulldogs will play Belfry in the title game on Thursday at 6:00. The two teams didn’t meet in the regular season.
The Pirates beat Pikeville 12-2 in the second game on Tuesday.
Lawrence Co. will be looking for their first trip to the state tournament since 2010.
#5 Ella Smith, #4 Bree Jones, #17 Hallie Adkins and Jada Patton are all smiles after the final out was recorded against Johnson Central.
Lawrence Co. Head Coach Justin Adkins
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… I changed the lineup a little today. Did a mix of speed and power more than we have all year and I thought the 8th graders did a good job getting bunts down and moving runners and then are studs came to play today.”
“… I thought Brooklyn threw a gem and if we would have fielded it better this game wouldn’t have been particularly close. And then we called on Taylor who has been a stud since she came into this program. And I think she had earned the right to come in and shut the door. It’s so nice to have the combo when Brooklyn has one set of pitches and Taylor has a complete different look and it really throws off the hitters. I’m blessed to be at Lawrence Co. and to have this team. I’m very very thankful.”
“… I don’t think we have a silent leader quite like Bree Jones. I have wrote a name down in that leadoff spot every game this season. She is hitting well over .500 and stealing bags and patrolling centerfield. You never have to worry if she is going to show up. As soon as the ball went up on the final batter I for my stuff ready because I knew who was going to catch it. It was fitting that it was hit to suck a great leader. I can’t wait to see her at the next level.”
“… I’ve loved Addalyn Woods since the day that I met her when she was playing for the Dusters when she was 8 or 9 years old and she has been a gamer ever since. Going into this season we had two 8th graders playing middle infield and people probably thought I was crazy but I couldn’t be more happy how it has turned out between her and Hallie and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
“… Defense in the seventh with the Taylor strikeout, Hallie made an outstanding play on the second batter and Bree caught the final out. I knew Hallie was ready for this type of ball even though she is only an 8th grader. She also made a nice running catch out on right field and took some momentum away from them and I’m really proud to be her coach and her dad.”
“… I think both Belfry and Pikeville are both scrappy and we are excited to play in the championship game against whoever wins. We will practice on Wednesday and be ready to win a championship on Thursday night.”
