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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LEXINGTON \u2014 To some, it was an improbable run, to the South Laurel Lady Cardinals\u2019 players, coaches, and fans, it was no surprise they captured the fastpitch program\u2019s seventh 13th Region championship, and first since 2014, last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t easy either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The path to the championship meant South Laurel had to defeat three of the top four teams in the region, including cross-town rival, and top-ranked North Laurel along with No. 2 ranked Corbin, who was the defending 13th Region champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once again, the Lady Cardinals didn\u2019t seem phased, they just took things one game at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe come into every season with the expectation to compete for a region championship and with this particular group the expectation was no different,\u201d South Laurel coach Carly Mink said. \u201cI knew we could be good, but a lot of different things go into having a successful season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Led by one of the top young pitchers in the state in eighth grader Kenzie Williams, along with a solid senior group, and underrated players, South Laurel got the job done when it mattered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Cardinals had a combined 0-4 mark against Corbin, and North Laurel entering the regional tournament, but left with impressive 7-5 (over the Lady Jaguars), and 6-0 (over the Lady Redhounds) victories, and not to mention their 11-1 win over Lynn Camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur seniors have provided a foundation for our underclassmen,\u201d Mink said. \u201cThey show up every day and lead by example. They have provided a toughness about this team and I couldn\u2019t have asked for a better group.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team hurdled many obstacles throughout the season \u2014 with only 10 players coming out for the team, the coaching staff brought up four eighth graders that played big roles in the team\u2019s success; players having to deal with injuries throughout the season, right before a regional tournament game began, and during the region title game; the team\u2019s leading home run home hitter, Emmie Rice, suffering a season-ending injury on the day of South Laurel\u2019s regional matchup with North Laurel; a player\u2019s mother passing away in a car accident on senior night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those are just some of the obstacles the Lady Cardinals went through during the season, but they never quit, and kept marching in until the battle was won.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe chemistry of this team since day one made this team special,\u201d Mink admitted. \u201cThroughout the course of the year, this team faced many obstacles on and off the field and this group just continued to get closer. When you have talent and good team chemistry anything is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n