Lake County scores late, holds on to beat Gleason

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

The Lake County softball team closed out its week and went into spring break on a win on Friday evening as the Lady Falcons scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth then held off a Gleason rally in the top of the seventh to win 4-3 in District 14A action in Tiptonville.

Lake County got on the board in the bottom of the first as a Bryleigh Walls one-out RBI single plated Aaliyah Shell to put the Lady Falcons on top 1-0.

Gleason was able to get on the board and tie the game in the top of the third. Leadoff batter Ava Bennett was hit by a pitch then advanced to third on two passed balls during the following two batters. Zoe Healy drove her in with a single to center to tie the game at 1-0 after two and a half innings.

The Lady Falcons answered quickly in the bottom of the third. A one-out walk by Mailee Hicks and a Kaitlyn Jones single put two Lake County players on for Walls. The Lady Falcons’ pitcher helped her own cause with a two-run single to put the green and gold on top 3-1 after three innings.

Again, Gleason answered two innings later. With two out, Karlie Wilson doubled to right to score a run. Then, Kristiana Addison followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Neither team was able to get on the board in their next turn at bat, but Lake County looked to go ahead late. Lea Hopper was hit by a pitch then moved to second on a passed ball later in the frame. Shell drew another walk then both runners moved up a base on a passed ball to give the Lady Falcons runners at second and third with one out and Hicks at the plate. The Lake County second baseman grounded to second which allowed Hopper to score from third and give the Lady Falcons a 4-3 lead heading into the seventh inning.

Gleason looked to answer and got the first two batters on as Healy reached on an error then Sophie Beasley was put on first by a catcher’s interference call. Lake County looked to get out of the frame with a pop out and a grounder to short which led to a force out at third for the second out. However, Emma Pettit reached on a dropped third strike to load the bases with two outs. But, Mays got the next Gleason batter to pop out to first to seal the win for the Lady Falcons.

Walls had two of Lake County’s four hits to lead the way for the Lady Falcons at the plate while driving in three of the team’s four runs.

Wilson led the Lady Bulldogs at the plate with a single and a double with an RBI while Healy added two singles and an RBI in the loss.

Walls also picked up the win, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out 13 in the victory. Gleason’s Olivia Scarbrough took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits with 13 strikeouts as well.

Lake County returns to action on Monday when the Lady Falcons host South Fulton for a district doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Gleason hosts Fulton County, Ky on Tuesday in a doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m.

For a physical copy of this story, pick up an upcoming edition of the Lake County Banner or Dresden Enterprise.

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