The Patrick County High School Lady Cougars came into their April 23 match up with Floyd County riding a six game win streak during which they allowed just 9 runs. On this night, it was Floyd County that got the big hits, heading home with the 8-1 win.
The Lady Cougars threatened in the second, loading the bases, but were unable to get a run across.
Floyd County took the lead in the top of the third with two runs, adding two more in the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Cougars got a runner on first on a hard-hit ball by Lilly Hazelwood that was mishandled by the Floyd County fielder. She would steal second and took third on a passed ball. Lacy Sutphin drove in Hazelwood on a line drive down the right field line, making the score 4-1 through four.
In the fifth, Floyd County increased their lead to 5-1. Patrick County loaded the bases again in the bottom of the inning, but the Floyd County third baseman caught a hard-hit line drive, then doubled up the runner on third, ending the inning.
Defense highlighted the sixth inning. A superb running catch near the fence by Lady Cougar right fielder Ava Hiatt robbed the Floyd County batter of an extra base hit and helped keep them scoreless in the inning.
Floyd County would add three more runs in the seventh to put the game away, 8-1
Following the game, Lady Cougar coach Ryan Pendleton felt it was not getting the timely hits that made the difference. “When they got runners on base, they got hits. It’s just one of those nights.”
“That’s the first loss that wasn’t by one run,” said Pendleton, adding that he thought that even in a loss, there was plenty to build on going forward in the season.
