Middlesboro opened the 2018 softball season on a good note. Hosting Pineville in the 13th Region All A Classic, the Lady Jackets ended the game in three innings defeating the Lady Lions 15-0 to advance the the next round.

“I think we still got a little work left,” said Middlesboro coach Petie Gilbert. “Our base-running is not good. You couldn’t say much about the hitting today because what was going on, but I was glad the girls were up there taking swings. We’re going to work on getting better hitting the ball.

“My opinion right now, we’re going to have to score a lot of runs until our pitching can comes around. Our pitching is not there we’re we need it to be, but we still got work to do. We looked good defensively. We made some good plays out there. So far, I’m pleased (with our defense).”

The Lady Jackets were productive at the plate. Every batter in the lineup crossed home at least once during the game with all but three crossing multiple times.

Hannah McCullough, Aubrey Sowder and Brooke Foister finished the game hitting a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. McCullough scored three runs while Sowders and Foister crossed home twice.

Jamayha Poe and Taylor Yoakum also scored two runs apiece on two hits during the game.

McCullough picked up the win in the circle pitching all three innings. She gave up only one hit during the game. Allison Caldwell was credited with the loss.

For Pineville, eighth-grader Santana Tuttle registered the only hit for the Lady Lions going 1-for-2 at the plate. Shelby Goodin also reached base during the game.

Middlesboro jumped out in front early in the first inning. After reaching on a double, McCullough crossed home plate to give the Lady Jackets a 1-0 lead. Poe and Sowders also scored before Shelby Frazier was struck out to end the first with Middlesboro leading 3-0.

After another quick at-bat for the Lady Lions, a single turned into McCullough’s second run of the game to increase the Lady Jacket lead to 4-0 in the second inning.

Middlesboro busted open the flood gates in the third scoring 11 runs with Yoakum and Foister crossing home twice.

Up Next

Middlesboro (1-0) advances to the second round of the 13th Region All A Classic and will host the winner of Barbourville-Lynn Camp at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Pineville (0-1) is slated to host Knox Central at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

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