Until her Lady Lions could score some runs, Pineville ace Rachel Howard made certain that Leslie County wouldn’t.
Howard struck out 24 batters and gave up only one hit with no walks as the Lady Lions scored four runs in the ninth to win 4-0 on Tuesday in Hyden.
Baileigh Bargo-Vaughn had two hits to lead the Lady Lions on offense. Addison Slone and Jaycee Caldwell had one hit each.
Makayla Campbell pitched well for Leslie County as she gave up only one earned run on four hits with nine strikeouts and three walks.
Howard’s 24 strikeouts tied her for fourth all-time in state history for an extra-inning game. Howard also struck out 24 in a game in 2021 as an eighth grader.
The 10-4 Lady Lions will travel to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., on Tuesday.