OPENING DAY VICTORY

The Whitley County Lady Colonels opened the season Monday night with an 11-0 win over the Pineville Lady Lions as senior pitcher Caitlyn Walden tossed a two-hitter.

“I thought it was a pretty solid defensive showing all the way around,” said Whitley County Coach David Halcomb. “That’s what it is going to start with, defense. That will keep us in most games. I think Caitlyn pitched a fine game. She gave up two hits and is throwing the ball a little harder this year.”

“Offensively, we hit the ball tonight,” said Halcomb. When we can pitch the ball, play nice defense and put the ball in play we are going to be successful,” said Halcomb.

The Lady Colonels didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard. Walden walked to lead off the game then went to second on a base hit by Simbree Sizemore. Halcomb pulled off a double steal, putting runners in scoring position at second and third.

After Stephanie Huffman grounded back to the mound for the first out of the inning, Ashley Lindsay walked to load the bases. Leeanna Moses popped out to the Pineville first baseman, but catcher Jaden Dopel drove the ball into center field for a two-run single.

Angela Hicks reloaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch. Lindsay scored on a passed ball before Sabrina Sizemore flew out to left field.

Brandi Peace, Simbree Sizemore, Lindsay and Moses all scored in the bottom of the second as the Lady Colonels took a commanding 7-0 lead in the game.

Sabrina Sizemore led off the bottom of the third with a triple and scored on a sacrifice by Walden as the Lady Colonels went ahead by eight.

Whitley County put the game way in the bottom of the fourth as Moses, Dopel and Sabrina Sizemore scored.

“Seven out of the nine scored,” said Halcomb. Moses was two-of-three with two runs scored to lead the Lady Colonels offense.

“Sabrina Sizemore stepped up for us,” Halcomb said. “It was one of those spots that was sort of up in the air at first base. She came up with a triple and two runs scored. That is big for us and she did that tonight for us.”

The Lady Colonels will be at Williamsburg Thursday before heading into Paintsville for a weekend tournament at Johnson Central High School.

“We went there last year and really enjoyed it,” said Halcomb. “It is a really good tournament. We will see some good competition and give our kids a chance to bond a little bit and get away and travel some. Hopefully, we can go up there and play some good softball.”

Whitley Co. 11, Pineville 0 (5 inn)

Pineville            000  00-   0  2  1

Whitley Co.            341  3x- 11  9  1

Caitlyn Walden and Jaden Dopel. Rebecca Leetheis and Stephanie Epperson. WP-Walden, LP-Leetheis. 3B-Hicks.