BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Tug Valley capped a four-game winning streak last week with a doubleheader sweep of Roane County on April 24, beating the Lady Raiders 9-0 and 9-7. The doubleheader followed earlier victories over Johnson Central and Huntington St. Joseph.
Behind dominant work in the circle from Emma Lackey and Bailee Hall and a steady offensive surge, the Lady Panthers outscored their four opponents 38-13 from April 21-24.
Tug Valley 7, Johnson Central 6
The Tug Valley Lady Panthers got out to a 5-run lead in the second inning and held on for a 7-6 victory over Johnson Central’s Lady Eagles, April 21 at Johnson Central High School in Paintsville, Kentucky.
The Lady Panthers took the lead 7-5 in the top of the seventh, thanks to home runs by Bailee Hall and Katie Hall.
Emma Lackey earned the win in the circle for Tug Valley. The right-handed pitcher gave up 7 hits and 4 runs over 5-1/3 innings, striking out nine and walking one against the Class 4A JCHS.
Bowen took the loss for Johnson Central.
Bailee Hall collected the save for Tug Valley.
Lackey helped her own cause as she went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Tug Valley in hits. B. Hall collected two hits.
Tug Valley 13, St. Joe 0
Bailee Hall struck out 11 batters to lead Tug Valley past the Huntington St. Joseph Irish 13-0 on April 23 at home in Naugatuck. The senior gave up one hit and zero runs over five innings while walking one. She also helped her own cause belting her 10th homer of the season.
The Lady Panthers amassed 12 hits in the game. Emma Lackey had three RBIs. The sophomore infielder-pitcher went 3-for-3 on the day. Bryleigh Fletcher also had three hits for Tug Valley. Gracie Hynd collected two hits for the Panthers. Hall, who walked three times, stole two bases.
Katie Hall hammered out a triple and knocked in a run.
Catcher Paisley Bolyard added a hit and a pair of RBIs. Center-fielder Caylee Steele singled and batted in a run.
Tug Valley stole five bases in the game.
The Lady Panthers were sure-handed in the field and did not commit a single error.
Tug Valley 9, Roane County 0
Emma Lackey was dominant in the circle, ringing up 11 strikeouts in Tug Valley’s 9-0 road victory over Roane County Raiders, April 24 in Spencer. The starting pitcher allowed just one hit and no runs over five innings while walking none.
Bailee Hall went 3-for-4 in the win. Hall doubled and had a pair of singles in the game.
The Lady Panthers pounded out 12 hits in the game. Gracie Hynd and Lackey were a 1-2 punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for Tug Valley. Katie Hall and Paisley Bolyard both had two hits for Coach Rocky Hall’s squad.
Tug Valley 9, Roane County 7
The Lady Panthers swept the doubleheader over the Lady Raiders winning the second game 9-7.
Tug Valley Panthers got out to a 5-run lead in the second inning and held on for the 9-7 victory over Roane County after the Raiders fought back and closed the gap.
Lackey earned the win for Tug Valley in the circle. The right-handed pitcher allowed two hits and two runs over 3-1/3 innings, striking out eight with no walks.
Harlan took the loss for Roane County. The pitcher went seven innings, giving up nine runs.
B. Hall started the game for Tug Valley, surrendering seven hits and five runs.
Hall, Bolyard and Caylee Steele each collected two hits and drove in two runs for the Lady Panthers.