Middlesboro tops Harlan 11-1 at home
Published 12:09 pm Thursday, April 11, 2019
A seven-run fourth inning propelled the Lady Jackets past the Harlan Green Dragons 11-1 in five innings on Tuesday.
Hannah McCullough had a phenomenal day from the circle, striking out the first five batters that stepped to the plate. McCullough was pitching a perfect game before allowing the Green Dragon’s lone hit on a two-out single in the third inning.
McCullough finished with eight strikeouts while allowing only one hit and one walk, along with four shutout innings to earn the victory.
Kailey Owens was brought in to relieve McCullough, pitching one complete inning. Owens allowed only one unearned run, one hit and one walk in her closing efforts.
The Lady Jacket offense was held to just one hit through the first two innings, but finally got on the board in the bottom of the third. With two outs on the board, consecutive singles by Jamarah Young, Aubrey Sowders and Shelby Frazier allowed the Lady Jackets to get on the board first, 1-0.
In the fourth inning, the Lady Jackets began to get the sticks swinging. After J.J. Brown and Lindsay Buis were walked, Sidney McWilliams connected on a single loading the bases for the Lady Jackets. Middlesboro tallied two runs as Macey Mink reached on an error while the bases were loaded.
Another run crossed the plate for the Lady Jackets as McCullough made base on an error, while loaded. Young had an RBI single and Frazier drove in two runners on a single down the third-base line. Brown connected on a double in the left-field gap, extending the lead to 8-0 in favor of the Lady Jackets.
Harlan’s lone run came in the top of the fifth before the Lady Jackets added their final three runs, ending the game.
McWilliams laid out a bunt toward the third basemen, before stealing second and third. Mink was walked before stealing second. McCullough drove McWilliams home with single and made it all the way to third base as Mink scored on an errant pitch.
Young ended the game with a line drive to left field for a two-base error as McCullough scored the walk-off run.
Middlesboro (6-6) was scheduled to visit Harlan County (4-2) on Thursday prior to hosting Claiborne County, Tenn. on Monday.
Harlan (3-4) took on Bell County (4-1) on the road Thursday before traveling to Pineville on Tuesday.