BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Betsy Layne broke open a tight contest with a 10-run seventh inning to defeat Martin County 17-7, April 15 in Inez.
The Lady Cardinals led 6-5 through five innings and stayed in the fight before the Bobcats pulled away late.
Martin County turned in several key defensive plays to protect its lead in the middle innings. In the top of the fifth, catcher Bri Muncy secured a pop-up with runners on base to end the inning and preserve the one-run advantage.
Betsy Layne threatened again in the sixth, tying the game and attempting to take the lead. After the tying run crossed, Martin County answered with one of its best defensive sequences of the night. Hallee Preece chased down a deep hit at the fence and fired to Sophie Harless for the cutoff. Harless relayed to Muncy, who applied the tag at the plate to cut down the go-ahead run.
The Bobcats managed to push across the lead run on the next play. But the Lady Cardinals limited further damage when Haley Robinson threw to Mia Fields at first for the second out of the inning.
Martin County looked to respond in the bottom of the sixth. Robinson singled with one out and Bella Muncy followed with a base hit to put runners on. However, Betsy Layne cut down Robinson attempting to advance and the Lady Cardinals were unable to capitalize as the inning ended on a play at second.
Trailing 7-6 entering the seventh, Martin County saw the game slip away as Betsy Layne erupted for 10 runs to extend its lead and secure the win.
Offensively, the Lady Cardinals produced solid contributions throughout the lineup.
Robinson led the way with a double, three singles and an RBI while scoring two runs. Bella Muncy added four singles and scored once. Harless collected two singles and a double.
Alyssa Mullins, Fields, Bri Muncy, Raegan Horn and Preece each added a hit. Horn also drove in a run.
Martin County’s scoring effort included two runs from Robinson and one run each from Bella Muncy, Fields, J. Savage, Preece and Harless.
The Lady Cards return to April action Saturday with a pair of games at Elliott County. They will then travel to Glenhayes, West Virginia, to take on the Tolsia Lady Rebels, April 28 in a 6 p.m. matchup.