Bell County’s chance to end a three-game losing streak came up short on Friday in a doubleheader against region foe Jackson County. The Lady Generals swept the series using a big seventh inning to grab a 9-5 victory in the first game.

The second game was a little less problematic for Jackson as big outings in the third a fourth innings gave the Lady Generals a 24-10 win.

Bell County’s losing streak reaches five games with the defeat. The win helps Jackson rebound from a 13-1 loss to North Laurel on Thursday.

Game 1: Jackson County 9, Bell County 5

A big seventh inning for the Lady Generals was the difference in the first game on Friday. Trailing by one heading into their final at-bat, Jackson rallied with five runs to claim the lead. A quick three outs in the bottom half of the seventh allowed the Lady Generals to hold on for a 9-5 victory over Bell County.

Reagan Robbins paced the Lady Cats at the plate going 2-for-4 with one run. Amber Lawson finished with one run on one hit, and Sarah Brooks finished with one run on a single. Mackenzie Shackleford and Makenzie Griffin each tallied runs as well.

For Jackson, it was Bailey Wilson who led the team at the plate scoring three runs on one hit and two errors. Tara Johnson and Brittany Belt each finished with two runs apiece.

A run by Wilson gave the Lady Generals a 1-0 lead heading into the second. Bell County responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Shackleford scored on a passed by to tie the game, and Griffin scored after landing on base with a triple to give the Lady Cats a 2-1 lead.

The score remained locked until the fifth inning. After a lead-off double by Johnson, an RBI single by Haley Hicks tied the game at 2-2.

Jackson County took a two-run lead in the sixth with a two-run single by Johnson giving the Lady Generals a 4-2 lead.

Bell County responded with an impressive outing at the plate in the bottom half of the fifth. An RBI single by Brooks cut the lead to one before an RBI by Makaya Baker tied the game at 4-4.

Madison Napier — who was a courtesy runner for Brooks — scored on an RBI double by Shackleford to give Bell a 5-4 lead heading into the final inning.

Things went south from there as Jackson County scored four runs with two outs on the board to secure the 9-5 victory.

Game 2: Jackson County 24, Bell County 10

Similar to the first game, two big innings from Jackson shifted the tide and outcome of the game. Leading 3-1 after two innings, the Lady Cats allowed 15 runs in the third and eight runs in the fourth en route to a 24-10 loss.

All but one player for the Lady Generals scored multiple runs during the game. Karah Crowe led the way with four runs. Bailey Wilson, Hannah Creech, Tara Johnson, Raylee Coyle and Olivia Truett each scored three runs.

For the Lady Cats, it was Makaya Baker and Mackenzie Shackleford leading the way with two runs apiece.

A wild third inning left Bell trailing 16-3 heading into the bottom half of the inning. The Lady Cats were able to cut into the lead scoring three runs. Amber Lawson and Madison Napier were able to score on an RBI single by Shackleford to narrow the deficit to 16-5.

Baker scored on an error to cut the lead to 16-6.

The Lady Generals widened the margin to 18 in the fourth scoring eight runs. With two outs on the board, an RBI single by Wilson increased the lead to 17-6. Jackson scored two more runs on an error to balloon the lead to 19-6.

A two-run single by Haley Hicks gave Jackson an 21-6 lead. Johnson, Hicks and Crowe each scored before the inning came to a close to increase the lead to 24-6.

Bell County was able to cut the lead to nine, but it wasn’t enough as the umpire called the game giving the Lady Cats the defeat.

Up Next

Bell County (4-9) was slated to host Harlan (7-3) in a district clash on Monday.

Jackson County (9-6) will host Clay County (13-0) on Thursday.

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