BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Cal Ripken Softball team hosted Magoffin County on June 27 at Frank Horn Field. The All-Stars showed major improvements since their last outing but were defeated by the Hornets in the high-scoring affair 23-13.
It was a slow start for the All-Stars in the first two stanzas.
Magoffin jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Kenadi Fannin snuck a hit between first and second for Martin County. Gabby Mann connected for a single and touched second on a stolen base.
The red, white and blue started a rally in the bottom of the third.
Haileigh Smith took a pitch for the home team. She proceeded to make her way around the horn on wild pitches and slid into home.
With two outs on the board and two runners on, future big leaguer Kyla Bragg stepped up to the plate.
Bragg ripped a shot to the right field fence for an inside-the-park homerun to score Kenleigh Estep and Jordyn Mollette.
Kiley Wright made her way to first on ball four. Mann hit a bouncer and snuck to second on a passed throw. Brooklyn Rush connected for a single.
With three ducks on a pond, Sarah McCoy was up to bat. McCoy worked the count and drew a walk for Wright to score and bring the score to 15-5.
Bragg took over pitching responsibilities in the top of the fourth.
A Hornets runner sat on third and went for the steal. Estep hustled behind the plate and dove for the loose ball.
She made the toss with Bragg covering and the pitcher closed the tag at home.
Bragg continued her All-Stars display when she struck out two batters to hold Magoffin scoreless.
Smith, Mollette and JaLynn McGinnis loaded the bases for Martin County in the bottom of the fourth. Estep was hit by a pitch and Fannin forced a teammate home with a free base.
Bragg delivered yet again for the All-Stars when she crushed a hit in the sweet spot through right field to drive in two teammates.
With Mann in the batter’s box, Bragg crossed home plate on a wild pitch for the fifth run of the inning. Martin County inched closer to the Hornets with a 15-10 score.
Rush hit a zinger down the first base powder for a single to open the bottom of the fifth. Smith continued her hot streak for her third hit of the night. MC couldn’t capitalize this time around.
The All-Stars jumped back on the board in the bottom of the final stanza.
It was Kyla Bragg’s night at the plate. She rocked a double to drive in McGinnis from second.
Bragg jetted around the bases and rushed into home plate on a wild pitch.
Wright sat on first and took advantage of errant throws. She sprinted her way into home for the final score of the game.
Bragg led the way with two doubles, an inside-the-park homer, five RBIs and three runs.
Smith belted out a single and crossed home plate twice. Rush hit for a single on the night.
The All-Stars will play in the “Battle at the Ramey” in Salyersville on July 27 and 28.
