If Thursday’s game between Middlesboro and South Laurel proved anything, it’s that the 13th Region may be much closer than some realize. Just two days after suffering a error-filled loss to Harlan, the Lady Jackets stunned the Lady Cardinals on the road with a 7-5 victory.

With the help of a five-run sixth inning, Middlesboro was able to improve their record to 10-7. South Laurel falls to 17-11 on the season.

Hannah McCullough earned the win in the circle allowing 10 hits but holding the Lady Cardinals to five runs. She also struck out five batters on the day.

At the plate, the Lady Jackets tallied 11 hits. Megan Gent and Aubrey Sowders paced the team by getting two RBIs on two hits apiece. Gent also tallied a run.

McCullough and Jamayha Poe led Middlesboro in runs with two apiece. McCullough ended the day 2-for-5 from the lead-off position. Poe went two-for-three with an RBI. Chloe Ogle — who was filling in at second for Macey Mink — scored a run without registering an official hit.

For South Laurel, it was Karly Gray who was credited with the loss. The freshman pitcher allowed 10 hits and all seven runs with five being earned. She walked two batters and struck out four. Chloe Taylor closed the game for the Lady Cards.

Taylor led South Laurel at the plate finishing the game with one run and three RBIs on three hits. Mackenzie Powenski tallied two runs and two RBIs while going 2-for-4 at the plate.

Kenzie Jervis scored one run on one hit, while Leslie Dixon scored a run without an official hit.

Up Next

Over the course of Friday and Saturday, Middlesboro (10-7) will be taking part in the Somerset/Pulaski County Showcase. On Friday, they were slated to play Somerset (15-11) at 9 p.m. They will play Mercer County (14-12) at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

South Laurel (17-11) will also be playing in the Somerset/Pulaski County Showcase over the weekend battling Somerset on Friday before taking on Mercer County and Harlan County (13-7) on Saturday.

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