LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Jazz Jervis struck out eight batters while her battery mate, Beth Marcum, threw out three runners trying to steal second as the North Laurel 11-12 year old All Stars advanced to tonight’s championship game of the winner’s bracket with a 14-2 win over McCreary County.

“Jazz was spot on with her pitches tonight,” coach Shane Brewer said. “And Beth was strong behind the plate, and she made a nice play holding onto the ball.”

Brewer was referring to the final out of the game when Marcum fielded a throw from center as the McCreary runner came barreling in on her at the plate. Marcum caught the ball and held on as the player ran into her for the third out.

North Laurel banged out 11 hits in the win, and Brewer was pleased with how his team hit against McCreary County.

“We hit strikes,” Brewer said. “We were real selective at the plate. We went over that and told them to be patient and hit strikes.”

North Laurel took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Hannah Carson hit and inside-the-park homerun with Madison Sechrest on base.

Jervis gave a preview of what to expect when she struck out the side in the bottom of the inning.

The score remained 2-0 until the top of the fourth when North Laurel scored four runs to push its lead to 6-0.

Alexis Gibson got things started with a single to left, stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sechrest, then scored when Madison McDaniel grounded out.

Now with two outs, Carson walked and Makinlee Philpot doubled. A single by Olivia Miller scored Carson for a 4-0 lead. Jervis then walked to load the bases for Jade Williams, who also walked off pitcher Macey Welchel to force in Philpot. Miller scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-0.

In the bottom of the inning, Brittany Bryant walked to lead things off, but she was thrown out by Marcum trying to steal second. After the next batter fanned, Welchel singled, but was also thrown out at second on a steal attempt.

North added three more runs in the fourth to push its lead to 9-0.

Gibson led off with a single and advanced to third on an error. A single by Sechrest scored Gibson, then Sechrest would score on a single by Carson. Carson would score on a ground out by Philpot.

Again the lead off batter for McCreary got on in the bottom of the inning via a walk, but again Marcum threw her out at second. Jervis then struck out the next two batters.

A five-run fifth by North Laurel made it 14-0. McDaniel drove in Marcum and Gibson with a double, then she scored when Carson reached on an error. Philpot’s single plated McDaniel then Carson scored on a fielder’s choice.

The shutout was adverted in the bottom of the inning when McCreary scored twice with two outs. Madison Higgenbotham reached on an error, then Bryant drew a walk. Another error allowed Grace King to be safe at first, loading the bases for Welchel, who doubled in two runs, but the final runner was tagged out trying to score to end the game.

North Laurel will face Tri-Cities tonight at 7 p.m. in the winner’s bracket final.

“Tri-Cities has two solid pitchers,” Brewer said. “It should be a great winner’s bracket final. But I feel good about our chances. We’re hitting well and putting pressure on the defense. This is a great group of girls. They play with their heads up. They don’t drop their heads in tough situations. I have all the confidence in any of the 11 girls I play.”

sports@sentinel-echo.com