LONDON — With her team trailing 1-0 in the top of the fifth, North Laurel’s Emma Carl took things into her own hands, delivering a two-run homer that proved to be the game winning hit as the Lady Jaguars’ prevailed over crosstown rival South Laurel with a 2-1 decision.
Caylee Singleton got the win in the pitcher’s circle, tossing five inning of four-hit ball while allowing only one earned run. Tessa Monhollen got the save, dominating the final two innings, allowing no hits or runs while striking out five batters.
The win improved North Laurel to 23-2while the Lady Cardinals fell to 21-5.
“This was an old-fashioned fist fight type of game,” North Laurel coach Chris Edwards said. “Great pitching on both sides, great defense from both sides. Just a really good high school softball game.
“Offensively, their pitcher scattered 6 hits on us,” he added. “No one had more than one. Tessa Monhollen and Katie Sams both had doubles. Emma Carl with the big hit in the fifth, a two-run home run. We had a couple of other chances with runners in scoring position but couldn’t push them across. Again, that’s a credit to their pitching and defense.
“Caylee Singleton started in the circle tonight,” Edwards continued. “She was coming off a great game and win against a top 20 team at West Jessamine on Saturday and turned in another great game tonight — five innings and only one run allowed. Been a warrior lately when we have really needed her. Tessa came in the game in the sixth and pitched the last two innings. She was lights out with five strikeouts.”
Ryleigh Bretz delivered South Laurel’s biggest hit of the game a solo home run in the fourth inning. Morgan Jackson, Kenzie Williams, and Skye Lawson also had hits.
Lexi Messer tossed six innings for South Laurel, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out five batters.
“Big shoutout to our defense tight, too,” Edwards said. “We made all the plays we should have tonight. Had a perfect relay from a ball in the gap and three out a runner at the plate. Lucy Jo Linville made a great diving play on a ball the was scorched up the middle. Defense wins games like this.
“Our pitching had been really good lately, defense continues to improve and that’s a great way to play this game. Really proud of our girls tonight,” he added. “Having said all that, this was a regular season game at the end of April. Certainly great to win the game, we want to win them all. Both teams do. We need to enjoy tonight but then focus back for tomorrow. Road trip tomorrow and then a couple days off. Again, proud of my girls. Go Jags.”
