By Denis House
Sports Editor
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
South Laurel got back on the winning side during the Early Spring Break Classic, going 3-1 with its only loss coming at the hands of eventual champion Walton-Verona.
“We played very well,” coach James Burns said. “We only gave up three runs in the four games.” The Lady Cardinals beat Pikeville, 10-0, Dixie Heights, 8-1, and Tates Creek, 5-0. Their lone loss was 2-1 to Walton-Verona. That run was the only one Walton-Verona allowed in the tournament.
“Laura Williams had a great tournament,”Burns said. “She went 6-for-9 with eight RBIs. And both of our pitchers (Hagan Burns and Megan Smith) pitched lights out.” Burns went 2-0 allowing one run on five hits, striking out nine in two games. She beat Dixie Heights and Tates Creek. Smith was 1-1, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out 14. She got the win against Pikeville but took the loss against Walton-Verona.
Walton-Verona defeated Collins, 6-0, in the championship game.
South opened play Friday night with a 10-0 win over Pikeville. Smith had a home run, double and four RBIs for the Lady Cardinals. Destinee Fisher also doubled and drove in a run. Hagan Burns had two RBIs, while Chelsea Wemes, Bailey Miller and Laura Williams drove in the other runs. South used a nine-run second inning to put the game away.
The Lady Cards then faced Dixie Heights Saturday morning and came away with an 8-1 win. South pounded out 13 hits in the victory.
Williams had a double, triple and drove in three to lead South Laurel at the plate. Wemes also tripled and drove in a run.
South then faced Walton-Verona and the game was scoreless until the top of the sixth when Walton-Verona struck for two runs. South answered in the bottom of the inning when Amber Hyde scored, but that was all the Lady Cards scored, losing 2-1.
Casie Finley had a double and a single. Hyde and Haylie Burns both had two hits.
The Lady Cards wrapped-up play Saturday evening with a 5-0 win over Tates Creek.
Smith, Hyde and Williams all had two hits, while Williams drove in three.
The Lady Cards will now travel to face North Laurel Thursday.
North Laurel also went 3-1 in the tournament, beating McCreary Central, 9-0, Tates Creek, 12-6, and Dixie Heights, 12-6, while falling to Collins, 5-3.
sports@sentinel-echo.com
