BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PIKEVILLE — The Tug Valley Lady Panthers opened their 2028 softball season Thursday with a 13-2 road win over Shelby Valley.

Like most teams in the region, the wintry weather forced the postponement of a couple of games earlier in the week.

Bailee Hall, Emma Lackey and Bryleigh Fletcher each had two hits for Tug Valley. Katie Hall, Bailee Hall and Fletcher all smacked doubles. Katie Hall had four RBIs for TVHS.

Paige Bolyard, Gracie Hynd and Ryleigh Baisden also had base hits for Tug.

The Lady Panthers scored four runs in the fourth inning and six in the top of the fifth to build their lead and come away with the win. Coach Rocky Hall’s team belted 10 hits in the game.

Lackey got the pitching win, striking out 12 Wildcats batters.

C. Holbrook was the losing hurler for Shelby Valley.

Score by innings:
TVHS: 0 1 2 4 6 – 13 10 0
SVHS: 2 0 0 0 0 – 2 1 5