Corbin takes title

The Corbin Lady Redhounds captured the first ever Cumberland Falls Invitational hosted by the three local coaches, Gary Akins (Corbin), Jim Black (Williamsburg) and David Halcomb (Whitley County).
The Lady Redhounds came from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Rockcastle County Lady Rockets, 8-4 Saturday night. “I thought we played well as a team,” said Corbin coach Gary Akins. “We executed well, got some good bunts and made contact with the ball.”
He also praised the mound duty of junior Felicia Pigg, who averaged 73 pitches in her four games Saturday. “She kept her mind on what she was doing,” added Akins.
Corbin battled defending 13th region champion, Rockcastle County in the championship game. Corbin made it to the finals after wins over Bell County (11-7), Harrison County (6-2) and Covington Holmes (4-2).
Rockcastle County defeated Whitley County, 4-0; Williamsburg 6-0 and Prestonsburg 11-0 to win the second pool. The Lady Rockets came into the finals with a perfect defensive effort by pitcher Mary Saylor.
The Lady Rockets looked as if they were going to get their fourth shutout of the day when they took a 4-0 lead but Kirby Soles reached on a leadoff error in the top of the fourth. Abby Baylor, the Player of the Game, against Bell County, got the Redhounds first hit of the night. Then back to back hits by Rachel Akins and Andria Shiar caused trouble for Saylor and company. Soles scored on Shiar’s base hit. Ali Burton answered with a single and Ashley Turner hit into a sacrifice ground ball that pulled Corbin to within a run, 4-3.
The Lady Redhounds defense shut down the Rockets in the bottom of the fourth then went to plate very aggressive in the fifth. Katie Akins got a one-out single to get things started. Wild pitches sent Akins to third base before Baylor doubled to centerfield. Rachel Akins followed with a double and the Redhounds led, 5-4. Shirar’s third hit in a row scored Rachel Akins for a two-run lead, 6-4.
The Corbin defense played outstanding softball and held the Lady Rockets scoreless while adding two more runs in the top of the seventh. Katie Akins led off the inning with a base hit. Soles and Baylor followed suit with Katie Akins scored the seventh run in the final four innings. A sacrifice by Shirar allowed Soles to come home for the final run.
Corbin 11, Bell County 7
The Lady Redhounds didn’t have any trouble beating the Lady Bobcats of Bell County. Corbin scored three runs in the top of the first then added eight runs in the third for a 11-4 lead. Bell County answered with a three-run rally in the bottom of the fifth, but that was the closest they would come.
Baylor led the offense, going two for two with two runs scored. Hannah Goins was two for two while Katie Akins was three of four with two runs.
Corbin 6, Harrison Co. 2
Corbin scored four runs in the top of the first with the help of a Baylor double as the Lady Redhounds downed Harrison County, 6-2.
Katie Akins, Soles, Baylor and Rachel Akins all scored. Akins hit a one-run triple to send Baylor home. She scored on a Shirar single.
Corbin added two runs in the fifth when Ali Burton and Ashley Turner opened the inning with singles. The two scored on hits by Meredith Grove and Katie Akins.
Baylor again led the Lady ‘Hounds, going three of four. Katie Akins and Burton had two hits each.
Corbin 4, Holmes 2
Felicia Pigg allowed just three hits to the Northern Kentucky team as Corbin won 4-2.
Holmes took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first and made Corbin come from behind once again. Kendra Igo opened the top of the third when she hit into an error. Igo moved to second on a Katie Akins ground ball. Soles walked and stole second base. Baylor hit into an error as Igo crossed the plate and Soles moved to third. Rachel Akins supplied an RBI with a grounder to short.
Corbin added two runs in the top of the seventh when Pigg and Igo scored for a 4-2 lead and eventually the win.
“This was the first tournament that we have held and we are happy to be the first winners of the championship,” said Akins. “We really played together as a team this weekend.”
Lady Colonels fourth
Whitley County took fourth place in the tournament with wins over Williamsburg and Prestonsburg. The Lady Colonels finished second in their pool and took on Covington Holmes for third place. They lost that game, 9-0.
However, co-coach David Halcomb thought the tournament was a success. “I thought the first annual Cumberland Falls Softball Classic was a great success,” he said.
“All of the teams that participated seemed to enjoy themselves and talked like they would all come back and participate again in the future,” said Halcomb. “So, I think we have laid the foundation to turn this tournament into one of the best in Southeastern Kentucky in the years to come.”
“Again, we couldn’t have done this without the help of all our local corporate sponsors. The Kentucky Softball Prep Association also helped tremendously. The selection of a Player of the Game was a very nice touch,” said Halcomb. “Thanks to all those who helped us out with this tournament in any way.”
About his team’s play. “Our team seems to be going through a stage of inconsistency right now,” he said. “We play well one game, then the next it seems as though we are not in the game mentally. This is our main concern right now.”
“We played well against a good young Williamsburg team,” Halcomb said. “It was a battle and the game was a lot closer than the final score indicated. I was pleased with the performance of Miranda Archer, as she only gave up three hits while striking out seven batters.”
“Danielle Lindsay has established herself as one of the best leadoff hitters we have had at Whitley County in several years,” said Halcomb. “She was three of four against Williamsburg, including a double and triple.”
Rockcastle 4, Whitley Co. 0
“Our game with Rockcastle County was a crucial one for us,” said Halcomb. “I thought we played well enough to win at times. Katie-Jo pitched a nice game, only allowing five hits and walking one.”
“Rockcastle just made the most of their offensive opportunities and we didn’t,” said Halcomb.
“We left six runners on base, four of which were in scoring position with less than two outs and we couldn’t drive them in,” he said. “We can’t fizzle out offensively like that and give ourselves a chance to win.
Whitley Co. 11, Prestonsburg 1
“Against Prestonsburg, I was real pleased with the pitching performance of Brittany Fox. She works extremely hard in every area of the game,” said Halcomb. “Brittany will practice when our team has the day off – that’s the kind of drive she had to make herself become a better softball player. This was her first varsity start and she comes out and throws a no hitter. What more could we ask of her? We were a little slow to start offensive, but finally got wound up in the fourth inning,” said Halcomb.
Holmes 9, Whitley Co. 0
Halcomb was disappointed in the way his team ended the tournament, a 9-0 loss to Covington Holmes. “Our game with Holmes was a complete failure,” said Halcomb. “That is the only way to put it. I think it was much my fault as it was the players.”
“We just weren’t ready to play. It was probably the worst overall performance of any of our (Coach Comparoni and I) teams over the past five seasons,” he said. “It goes to show how bad a team can be if they are not in the game mentally. Sometimes games like this can help you and we’ll use it as a reminder to them about just how ugly we can be if we cross those foul lines ready to play.”