A strong first inning was good enough for Middlesboro as the Lady Jackets held off Bell County’s late-game surge to earn a 7-5 victory. The win extends Middlesboro’s winning streak to five games. The Lady Cats’ losing streak reaches three with the loss.

Macy Mink paced the Lady Jackets at the plate finishing with two runs and an RBI while reaching base on a single and a walk. Hannah McCullough scored one run on two hits, while Megan Gent went 1-for-2 with one run and two walks.

Aubrey Sowders, Jamayha Poe and Taylor Yoakum each tallied runs for Middlesboro as well. Brooke Foister led the team in RBIs with two.

McCullough picked up the win in the circle allowing four hits and five runs while striking out 12 batters.

For Bell County, Baylee Allen led the team as a designated hitter. She scored one run while reaching on a single, an error and a walk. Makaya Baker ended the game with one run on one hit. Raegan Robbins, Amber Lawson and Mackenzie Shackleford also tallied runs on the day.

Baker picked up the loss after allowing five runs through one inning.

After quickly sitting Bell County’s first three batters, Middlesboro went to work at the plate in the first. With one out on the board, the Lady Cats walked three straight batters to load the bases.

A fielders choice allowed Mink to score giving the Lady Jackets a 1-0 lead. An RBI single by Yoakum increased the lead to two runs before a two-run single by Foister ballooned the lead to 4-0.

A single by Virginia Marcum gave Yoakum the green light to score and increase the Middlesboro lead to 5-0 at the end of one.

Bell County responded in the second with two runs of their own. Baker and Shackleford both scored after being hit by pitches to cut the Lady Jacket lead to three, 5-2.

Middlesboro added a run in the second with Mink scoring her second run of the day to increase the lead to 6-2.

The game went silent for three innings before Bell County tallied three runs in the sixth. Allen, Robbins and Lawson each scored to cut the lead to 6-5 heading into the bottom half of the inning.

A run by McCullough in the sixth off an RBI by Mink secured the two-run victory of the Lady Jackets.

Up Next

Bell County (4-7) hosted Jackson County (5-6) for a doubleheader on Friday.

Middlesboro (7-2) will compete in the Billy Joe Idol Memorial Tournament on Saturday.

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