Lady Indians 10
Russell Co. 2
On Saturday the Adair County softball team traveled to Russell County to play in a Classic tournament against Russell County (6-5), McCreary Central (6-9), and Lincoln County (7-3).
Each team played each other and the Lady Indians finished 1-2 during the day to come in third place. Lincoln County finished 3-0, Russell County 2-1, and McCreary Central 0-3.
For the first game of the day, Adair County faced off against the host team, Russell County Lady Lakers. The Lady Indians never seemed to get things going at the plate and allowed Russell County to get ahead early on.
“We had too many defensive lapses and they got the key hit in crucial times,” Coach Steve Martin said. “Twice they tripled with the bases loaded but our miscues allowed those runners to be on base.”
After Adair County went down in order in the top half, Russell County scored four runs to go ahead early in the game and scored another four in the bottom of the fourth to lead 8-0.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Lady Indians finally got on the scoreboard with Jordan Janes scoring on a bad throw.
The Lady Lakers score two more in the bottom half to go up 10-1 and Adair County was only able to score one in the bottom half as they picked up the loss.
“We just weren’t prepared to play and didn’t play very well facing a really good pitcher,” Coach Martin said.
Lady Indians 8
Lincoln Co. 10
The Lady Indians faced Lincoln County in their second game of the day in the Lady Laker Classic. Adair County kept the game close early on but a big fourth inning allowed the Lady Patriots to get ahead and the Lady Indians couldn’t climb back on top.
“This was a better played ballgame,” Coach Martin said. “I was happy with the comeback only to lose it on defensive mistakes.”
Lincoln County scored one in the first inning on two errors and a sacrifice.
In the top of the second Adair County scored three runs with two outs to take the lead. Jera Kessler reached base on a walk, Haley Ellison helped her cause on the mound with an RBI double, Hannah Absher reached on an error, and Lauren Talley hit a 2-RBI double before the at bat came to a close.
The Lady Patriots evened the score in the bottom half of the third at 3-3 before they scored four more in the fourth to take a large lead, 7-3.
Brooklyn Coomer singled in the fifth and Whitney Turner reached on an error before Jordan Janes scored one with another single.
Trailing 7-4, Adair County had a big sixth inning as they took the lead with four total runs. Absher had an RBI single, Coomer hit a 2-RBI single, and Janes also had another RBI single to help the Lady Indians take over the lead.
Lincoln County counteracted quickly as they took advantage of two Adair County defensive errors in the inning and two single to score three and take the final lead, 10-8.
“We got good contribution from reserves and the bottom of the order,” Coach Martin said.
Lady Indians 13
McCreary Central 3
In their final game of the day, Adair County was able to defeat the Lady Raiders of McCreary Central. Sophomore Haley Ellison started her third game in a row for the day and helped lead the Lady Indians to victory.
“Good to get a win for the third game in a row that Haley pitched,” Coach Martin said. “Good offensive effort highlighted by Lauren Talley and Cassie Nuckolls both going 3 for 3 and Jordan Janes, Whitney Turner, and Brooklyn Coomer getting two hits apiece.”
Adair County scored a run in the first inning before a big second inning at the plate. During the second, Jera Kessler started with a walk and Nuckolls sacrificed her into scoring position. Maddie Alley, Hannah Absher, Talley, and Coomer all hit a single each then Janes scored one with an infield out.
The inning continued as Kassidy Roy hit an RBI single then Turner and Kessler hit singles before Nuckolls’ double scored two more. Adair County led 9-0 at the end of the second inning.
Two more runs in the top of the third put the Lady Indians up by double digits before a homerun by McCreary Central in the bottom half put them on the board with three runs.
During the fifth, Adair County scored two on Turner’s double, scoring Rachel Parrish and Janes. A quiet bottom half left the Lady Indians winning the game by run rule, 13-3.
“It’s good to have a week off to rest Haley’s arm a little,” Coach Martin said. “I’m hoping to get MaKayla Matthews back after spring break.”
Adair County enters the break with a 4-7 record and will return to action next week as they begin with some district games.
By Josh Withers
Sports Writer
