Bell County’s strong start to the week ended with defeat when they hosted Whitley County on Friday. A quick start for the Lady Colonels in the first three innings was enough to boost the team to a 13-4 victory over the Lady Cats.

“We got to grow up. We started three eighth-graders and two freshmen,” said Bell coach Jimmy Campbell. “We just got to grow up. Mentally, we weren’t ready I didn’t think. (That) happens with a young ball club.

“When (Whitley County) hit it in the first and they went up five runs, I felt like the mental focus went back to what had happen to them in the years past. But we will build on it.”

Kayleigh Saylor and Raegan Robbins paced the Lady Cats at the plate going 2-for-4 each with one run and two singles. Makaya Baker finished with two hits and an RBI. Sarah Brooks ended the night with two singles and an RBI.

Amber Lawson was credited with the loss in the circle allowing 11 runs in three innings. Baker took over pitching duties in the fourth and allowed two runs and three hits throughout the rest of the game.

“I’ve tried to get Makaya to see (that) we’re going to need her,” said Campbell. “I told her our success is going to depend on what you do when I bring you in. I thought it was a good game. I’m giving her player of the game (for) just going out there and competing the way she competed.”

The Lady Colonels were led by Kaitlyn Lawson, who finished the game with three hits and three runs. Lindsey Shope and Hannah Clear also ended the night with three runs apiece — all in the first three innings.

Whitley County jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first. Runs from Robbins and Amber Lawson cut the deficit to 5-2 in the bottom half of the inning.

The Lady Colonels added three more run in the second off the bats of Shope, Clear and Kaitlyn Lawson to increase their lead to 8-2.

After striking out the side in the second, Whitley County continued to rack up the runs in the third. With one out on the board, Shope and Clear both reached first on errors. Shope scored on an error to widen the lead to 9-2.

After Kaitlyn Lawson reached on a walk, Baylee Wilson hit a two-run RBI to give the Lady Colonels an 11-2 lead heading into the bottom half of the third.

After a couple of silent innings, Bell County added two more runs on the scoreboard in the fifth. Saylor reached on a single and Amber Lawson was walked to give the Lady Cats two base runners.

An RBI single by Brooks cut the lead to eight, and Amber Lawson scored on a Baker RBI to narrow the deficit to 11-4 at the end of five.

Whitley County added runs in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the nine-run victory.

Up Next

Bell County (2-1) will host Williamsburg (3-0) at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

Whitley County (2-1) traveled to Southwestern (2-0) on Saturday.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-302-9090 or on Twitter @AnthonyCloudMDN