Miranda H. Lewis
Carter County Times
The hot hitting Lady Comet softball team launched one home run and racked up 14 hits as West Carter ruled Morgan County 11-7 last Thursday.
The win lifts the Lady Comets to 11-13 on the season and 3-3 in 62nd district play, while the Cougars suffered their second consecutive loss, falling to 3-9 overall and 0-6 in district action.
West Carter captured the win after scoring five runs in the first stanza to storm out to a 5-1 lead.
Leadoff hitter Claire Holbrook broke open the bottom of the first for the Lady Comets with a stand-up-double, while Camryn Burton’s double on the ensuing at bat scored Josie Nolen – Holbrook’s courtesy runner – to take the game to 1-all.
A double RBI by Brandi McGlone plated Burton to tip the game in favor of West Carter 2-1.
Alyssa Willis’s single allowed McGlone to touch home plate, Jazmine McCleese followed with a two-RBI single to grow the Lady Comets advantage to 5-1.
The Lady Cougars would respond with four runs in the top of the second to tie the game at five.
West Carter continued their hot start with two additional runs in the bottom of the second courtesy of a two-run homerun by McGlone.
A physical play against Holbrook en route to home plate resulted in the ejection of Morgan County’s catcher, Taylor Sword.
The baseline obstruction would prove to be a big blow to the Lady Cougars offense.
After a scoreless third inning, the Lady Comets notched four runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend their advantage to 10-6.
Willis held the Lady Cougars scoreless in the top of the fifth, striking out batters in order, 1-2-3.
The Lady Comets added insurance in the bottom of the fifth to the tune of a second stand-up-double from Holbrook, followed by a wild pitch that resulted in a walk for Burton and a run scored by Artrip.
Morgan County would rally for one final run in the top half of the sixth inning but could not push across any more.
Willis closed the door from the circle, finalizing an 11-7 score.
She earned the win after allowing seven runs on twelve Lady Cougar hits while striking out seven over seven innings of work.
Holbrook and Artrip both paced West Carter’s offense with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.
Holbrook had two doubles, while Artrip nabbed one.
Brandy McGlone aided her cause by going 2-for-4, one double, three RBI and belted out an infield homerun.
West Carter returns to the diamond this Thursday as they host Greenup County in 16th Region action.
Contact the writer at miranda@cartercountytimes.com
