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Adams survives early, thrives late as Lady Bears rally for district win

 

By John Henson

Sports Writer

Giving up seven walks and a hit batsman to the potent Harlan offense in the first two innings, Harlan County pitcher Alexis Adams played with fire and somehow survived as the Lady Dragons built a 5-2 lead but could not break the game open.
But once the sophomore left-hander found her rhythm while battling back from a hamstring injury that sidelined her for several games, Adams went from surviving to thriving. She allowed only four base runners over the final five innings, pitching a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts and nine walks as the Lady Bears rallied for a 6-5 win.
“I think we had some nerves early and a lot of pressure with how the season ended last year (a one-run loss to Harlan in the district finals),” Harlan County coach Shelby Burton said. “I think once Lexie got settled things started going our way. When she’s in that zone, she’s hard to handle. We still have to cut down on walks.”
Gracie Hensley had the only hit for the 9-5 Lady Dragons with a bloop single to right in the third inning.
“That last three games we’ve been in a lull. It happens every year,” Harlan coach David Overbay said. “(Adams) was hitting that outside corner. She kept us off balance. We just weren’t ourselves and haven’t been since the Lynn Camp game. We just have to keep working.”
The 8-9 Lady Bears collected 10 hits, led by three singles by senior shortstop Madison Blair. Adams doubled twice. Eighth-grader Raegan Landa added two singles. Aly Sherman had a triple. Aviya Halcomb and Kendall Brock singled once each.
“There’s a lot of hype on this game for both teams,” Burton said. “These are teenage girls. We were thinking way too much instead of having fun and playing. Harlan is a veteran team with a lot of talent. I have a lot of respect for Addison Jackson. She’s the best catcher in the region, and (coach) David is a great guy.”
Adams walked the first three batters and gave up two runs as Ella Farley and Smith each scored on wild pitches.
Harlan County pulled even in the second inning as Landa and Brock recorded two-out singles after Halanah Shepherd led off by being hit by a pitch and Halcomb followed with a one-out walk.
Three walks and a hit batsman put the Harlan offense back in business in the bottom of the second. One run scored on a wild pitch, and Ella Lisenbee followed with a sacrifice fly. Farley’s hustle gave Harlan a run as she stole home with the Lady Bears all gathered in the circle celebrating a strikeout.
Harlan County took the lead for good with a four-run fourth inning. Sherman tripled home one run, then scored on Blair’s hit. Adams’ double to center with two outs plated the final two runs of the game.
The Lady Dragons had a base runner in each of the last three innings, but Adams had nine strikeouts out of the last 12 outs with Halcomb adding a diving catch in the fifth inning as the Lady Bears played a flawless game defensively.
“It’s one of those things you deal with every year when they level off and coast,” Overbay said. “We’ll get them back going. Hats off to them though. They did what they had to do to win the game.”
Harlan travels to Middlesboro. Harlan County travels to Knox Central on Thursday.
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Harlan County 020 400 0 — 6. 10. 0
Harlan 230 000 0 — 5 1. 1
Adams and Burton; Smith and Jackson. WP — Adams (4-2). LP — Smith (9-5).