CORBIN — The defending 13th Region champion North Laurel Lady Jaguars (27-6) were down to their final three outs, staring at a 2-1 deficit before stunning upset-minded Corbin (13-15) during the bottom of the seventh of first round action of the 13th Region Fastpitch Tournament.
A run-scoring double by Bella Finley tied the game at two apiece while Saige McClure capped off a 3-for-4, one RBI effort with the game-winning hit, giving the Lady Jaguars a 3-2 win.
“Nice win today for my girls. We knew going in what Corbin was gonna throw at us,” Corbin coach Chris Edwards said. “We expected nothing but the best that Danni Foley had. That’s exactly what we got and we are lucky to escape with a win.
“Offensively, we had nine hits,” he added. “Multiple hits from Saige and Bella Finley. Of those nine, four were in the last inning when we needed them most. Made a couple of mistakes in the field that we don’t usually make. Emma was good again in the circle, only two runs and three hits.
“We had a great team rally in the seventh inning,” Edwards added. “Lead off hit by Morgan Edwards followed by a stolen base by pinch runner Reeselynn Garland and then a huge double by Bella Finley to tie the game. Loaded the bases before Saige walked it off. These girls have been through some battles this season and through the years. I’d rather not have to score to tie in the seventh but with some of the games we’ve played this year, it has gotten us ready to be in games like this. Nice win for us tonight. Now we have to regroup and focus on what’s next, either Pineville or Harlan County. Go Jags.”
Morgan Edwards started the rally with a lead-off single while freshman Reeselyn Garland came in to pinch run for Edwards, eventually stealing second base.
Finley followed with a run-scoring double and then advanced to third with a single by Tessa Monhollen. Katie Keen was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs while Corbin pitcher Danni Foley followed by striking out both Katie Sam’s, and Emma Carl.
But just when it looked as if the Lady Redhounds were going to get out of the inning, McClure came through with the clutch game-winning hit.
The Lady Jaguars took a 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a home run by Ellie Adams. They maintained their lead until the top of the sixth when Corbin’s Apple Terrell connected with a two-run homer to give the Lady Redhounds a 2-1 edge.
McClure led North Laurel with three hits and an RBI while Finley followed with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored. Adams had a home run, an RBI, and a run scored while Carl, Edwards and Monhollen finished with a hit apiece.
Carl got the win for the Lady Jaguars, pitching a complete game while allowing three hits, and earned two runs. She struck out 11 batters.
Foley led Corbin with two hits while Terrell finished with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored.
Foley took the loss, allowing nine hits, and three earned runs while striking out six batters.
