FIRST PRIORITY CLASSIC

 The Whitley County Lady Colonels went 2-2 in their own First Priority/UNITE Softball Classic Friday and Saturday at WCHS. The Lady Colonels defeated Clay County in pool play then beat Williamsburg in the single elimination format of the tournament before losing to eventual champion, Harrison County.

Harrison County has won the title two years in a row.

“I am really pleased with the fact that we were able to get our tournament completed,” said Whitley County Coach David Halcomb. “Once, again, I think were able to put on a good tournament for the players and fans…everything went really smooth and the weather cooperated with us.”

“The only issue we had was the fact that Bell County didn’t come back on Saturday morning to finish the tournament…not sure what happened there,” said Halcomb.

“We were able to finish 2-2 and reach the semifinals,” said Halcomb. “I felt we let one get away in the first game against Harlan County, having a 2-1 lead going to the fifth inning…we just weren’t able to finish and stranded a couple runners late in the game.”

“We did bounce right back and beat a good Clay County team in the nightcap,” he added. “This was a nice win for us, because they had beaten us just last week. I thought Simbree Sizemore and Leeanna Moses made some terrific defensive plays to help seal the game for us.”

In the win over Clay County, the Lady Colonels fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but tied the score in the bottom of the second. Ashley Lindsay led off with a base hit to center field then went to second on a hit by Clarissa Garcia.

Lindsay scored on passed balls by the Clay County catcher. Garcia was stranded at third when the inning ended.

Whitley County unloaded six runs on the Lady Tigers in the bottom of the third. Stephanie Huffman and Jadon Dopel reached base on a hit and an error before Sizemore’s hit up the middle sent Huffman home for a 2-0 lead.

The big hit in the inning was a bases-loaded double by Brandie Peace that scored two runs.

Saturday morning the Lady Colonels took on Williamsburg in the elimination round and beat the Lady Jackets, 11-1. Whitley County scored in four of the five innings played.

Williamsburg scored its lone run in the top of the first when Taylor Haynes led off with a single. She scored on a sacrifice by Carissa Conlin.

Whitley County didn’t waste anytime either as Sizemore led off with a single. Caitlyn Walden followed with a base hit and Ashley Lennon answered with a two-run double to left field.

The Lady Colonels added three runs in the third and four in the fourth for a 9-1 lead. Back-to-back doubles by Lindsay and Garcia provided the offensive punch.

Whitley County put the game away in the fifth with two runs, also by Lindsay and Garcia.

The Lady Colonels pounded out 15 hits in the win with Lindsay going three-for-four with three runs and an RBI. Garcia had four RBI’s in the win along with three runs.

“We were fortunate to get past Williamsburg, who played really well during the tournament,” said Halcomb. “I was somewhat mystified by our inability to hit the ball against Harrison County. I thought we should have put some runs on the board and had a few more hits, but it just didn’t happen. Harrison County is perhaps the best hitting team we have faced all season. They hit it all over the field.”

“I am proud of the fact that my shortstop, Simbree Sizemore, was named the Defensive Player of the tournament, winning the annual Golden Glove Award” said Halcomb. “Simbree is playing extremely well right now and she has become an outstanding shortstop for us.”

“She really covered some ground and was able to keep our opponents from getting some key hits,” he added. “Simbree is a great kid and I am happy for her to win this award.”

Harlan Co. 3, Whitley Co. 2

Whitley Co.     200  000  0- 2  6  3

Harlan Co.       001  011  x- 3  2  2

Walden and Huffman. Lewis and Pennington. W-Pennington, L-Walden. 2B-Lewis (HC), Garcia (WC). 3B-Lindsay (WC)

Whitley Co. 7, Clay Co. 3

Clay Co.          100  002  0- 3  7  2

Whitley Co.     016  000  x- 7  8  3

Hurd and Trieschman. Walden and Huffman. W-Walden, L-Trieschman. 2B-Peace (WC), Trieschman (CC), Napier (CC).

Whitley Co. 11, Williamsburg 1

Williamsburg   100  00-   1    5  4

Whitley Co.     203  42- 11  15  2

Meadors and Conlin. Lindsay and Huffman. W-Lindsay, L-Meadors. 2B-Lennon (WC), Lindsay (WC), Garcia (WC).

Harrison Co. 12, Whitley Co. 0

Whitley Co.     000  00-   0    2  7

Harrison Co.   303  60- 12  12  1

Walden and Huffman. Hicks and Dennie. W-Hicks, L-Walden. 2B-Dennie (HC). 3B-Hicks (HC). HR-Shepherd  (HC)