By John Henson

Contributing Sports Writer

One season. One state championship.

Talk about your fast starts.

Until the Middlesboro and Pineville-Bell leagues merged earlier this year, there wasn’t a Middlesboro-Pineville-Bell Little League. Now, the girls who played for the first MBP Senior League All Star team are state champions.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this awesome group of young Ladies. Combining leagues is tough for any community, and players that are usually county rivals playing together on the same team is very tough. However, these young ladies have bonded as a team, are enjoying playing together and the results of their hard work, grit and determination paid off with a state championship,” said MBP coach Chris Jackson. “That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment. My hopes as a coach and member of this community is to continue to build on what this team has been able to achieve and build a solid foundation for the future softball players in this county.”

MPB beat Knox County/Corbin twice to win the District 4 title to advance to state competition. After a 12-5 win over tournament host Henry County in the opening round, MBP advanced to play Marion County in what turned out to be a best-of-three championship in the double-elimination tourney. MBP won 12-2 in five innings in the first game Saturday, then fell 15-3 on Sunday before winning 11-9 later that day to capture the state title.

“Our board is dedicated to the children who make up our teams. Our goal is to work with the community to provide opportunities to showcase the talents hidden in our county,” said MBP Little League treasurer Kristy Burnett. “These ladies have paved the way and sparked interest in the league for 2025.”

Kolbi Mason, Kenley Foster, Trinity Partin and Keevi Betts each had two hits to lead MBP in an 11-6 win over Knox/Corbin. Alexis Middleton drove in three runs with a triple. Abby Jackson, Abney Allen and Addison Scott had one hit each.

Scott gave up two runs on five hits five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Kenna Lawson allowed four runs on six hits with five strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

Mason had two hits in a 7-4 win over Knox/Corbin to win the District 4 title. Scott, Middleton, Lawson, Foster, Madison Helton, Jenna Baker and Partin added one hit each.

Scott gave up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Lawsons allowed two runs on five hits three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

Scott struck out nine and allowed five runs on nine hits in a complete game win to open the state tournament.

Mason had three hits and drove in four runs. Betts added two hits. Middleton, Foster, Allen and Jackson added one hit each. Lawson drove in two runs.

Allen and Betts each pounded out three hits in a 12-2 win over Marion County. Jackson, Foster, Mason and Lawson added one hit each. Lawson drove in three runs and Mason drove in two.

Scott pitched four innings and allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Lawson struck out one in one inning.

Betts led MBP in the loss to Marion County with two hits. Partin, Mason and Middleton added one hit each. Scott, Lawson and Partin shared pitching duties.

Mason paced MBP with four hits in four at bats and three RBI. Foster added two hits. Jackson had an inside-the-park homer. Middleton, Allen and Baker added one hit each.

Scott pitched a complete game with three strikeouts, giving up nine runs on 11 hits