LONDON — It wasn’t easy, but North Laurel did what it needed to do to knock off Jackson County on Monday.
The Lady Generals hung tough, but North Laurel’s Emma Carl came through clutch in the bottom of the fifth, driving in the game’s lone run as the Lady Jaguars pulled off a 2-0 win.
“Really good game tonight that we were lucky to escape,” North Laurel coach Chris Edwards said. “Their pitcher kept us off balance all night and we finally broke through with some hits on the fifth to get a couple runs.
“Katie Keen led the way with two hits tonight and Emma had a big two out hit to score our runs,” he added. “We did have a couple of other chances, we just couldn’t push anything across. Credit to them for that. Tessa was great tonight. She went the distance and only gave three hits and the one walk. Just another outstanding performance for her this season.
“The goal this year and every year is to pit ourselves in a position to be the number 1 seed in the district tournament,” Edwards added. “Tonight accomplished that goal. Now we have several more games to get ready for this week. Go Jags.”
North Laurel improved to 18-2 with the win, and 2-0 against district opponents while Jackson County fell to 12-3 and 1-1 against district teams.
Both Tessa Monhollen and Sophia Martinez were in an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel.
Monhollen tossed a complete game, allowing only three hits and striking out six batters. Martinez, who is a seventh grader, pitched six innings, surrendering five hits and two earned runs while striking out nine batters.
Katie Keen led North Laurel with a 2-for-2 effort while Bella Finley and Lucy Jo Linville had a hit apiece.
Kylee Martin, Kylie Moore, and Lexi Brockman finished with a hit apiece for Jackson County.
