Lexington, Ky. — For the first time since 2008 the Lawrence Co. Softball is advancing in the State Tournament after a 5-4 victory over Marshall Co. on Saturday at John Cropp Stadium.
After a scoreless first inning the Dawgs erupted in the top of the second with a four spot behind a RBI hit by pitch from Ella Smith and a bases clearing two out double from Jada Patton to take a 4-0 lead.
Jada Patton once comes up with a big hit.
The Marshals ( 28-9 ) got on the scoreboard with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to make it 4-2 Bulldogs.
In the top of the seventh the Bulldogs picked up a huge insurance run with two outs behind an Addalyn Woods infield single and a Gracie Preece rocket double that burnt the left fielder to score Woods from first to make it 5-2.
Gracie Preece has been on fire the last month.
In the bottom of the seventh Marshall Co. plated two runs before Taylor Blevins fielded a grounder and fired to Bree Jones to end the ballgame with the tying run on base. Video below
Gracie Preece went 3-4 including a double, one run batted in and scored once, Emalynn Kitts had two hits including a double, Jada Patton doubled and knocked in three runs to lead the Dawgs. Addalyn Woods had two hits and scored a run, Abby Maynard singled, Ella Smith had one RBI and scored once, Aleaha Gillispie and Brinley Baisden scored a run each.
Taylor Blevins improved to 21-4 in the circle with a complete game victory. Blevins allowed three earned runs, eight hits, struck out three and walked three.
LCHS 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 – 5
MCHS 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 – 4
It was the second state tournament win in school history with the first on coming in 2008 in Owensboro 2-1 over Reidland in the first round.
The Dawgs improved to 25-7 on the year and will play 5th Region champ Taylor Co. ( 28-7 ) at 7:00 on Sunday night after the Cardinals beat Letcher Co. Central 5-3 in the first game Saturday morning.
Head Coach Sam Sparks talks to his infield in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Bulldog Head Coach Sam Sparks
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… I’m happy for our girls, we are built for situations like this. Marshall Co. is a good team but I think we showed what we are made of today. We got some timely hits but also left too many runners out there. I thought we could have got a lot more than we did. The run in the seventh turned out to be even bigger than we thought.”
“… Taylor’s demeanor was once again top notch. She got into some pressure situations late and came through for us like she has her whole career. She was great against a good hitting club. I thought she hit her spots well and did what she had to do to win in the State Tournament.”
“… It was huge to get out in front against a good team. Another big hit from Jada Patton clearing the bases. That four spot really gave our girls confidence. They have a good lineup with some hard outs and Taylor made some pitches and the defense was good behind her. And our girls found a way to win.”
“… Gracie Preece has been clutch for us the last month. So happy for her because she missed this last year and that run in the seventh proved to be the game winner.”
