CHRIS JONES/Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan County sophomore Kaitlyn Stittums took aim at a pitch during action recently. Stittums had a single as the Lady Bears downed Pineville 14-2 on Friday.

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An Enterprise Staff Report

The Harlan County Lady Bears might not have gave their most spirited performance of the season, but they were simply too much for Pineville Friday, rolling to a 14-2 victory over the host Lady Lions.

“We played with zero emotion, and I think it was a letdown from yesterday,” said Harlan County coach Howard White, referring to Thursday’s 52nd District contest against Middlesboro. “Pineville’s pitching struggled, and we scored eight runs when they threw the ball by the catcher.”

Katie Johnson scored in the first inning to give Harlan County the early advantage.

Johnson, Savannah Sergent and Bethany Bellofatto all scored in the second as the Lady Bears extended their lead to four runs. Pineville closed the gap to 4-1 with a run in the bottom half of the inning.

Harlan County pushed the lead back to four in the third inning as Chyanna Harris crossed the plate. However the Lady Lions answered with another run in the bottom of the third.

Bellofatto made it 6-2 with a run in the fourth, and the Lady Bears took control with five runs in the fifth inning. Harris, Sergent, Bellofatto, Bridget Robinson and Megan Ramsey each score in the outburst.

The game was called in the sixth inning as Ramsey, Raygon Nease and Emilee Arney scored to push the lead to 12 runs.

Johnson had another stellar performance at the plate as she recorded one triple and two doubles to pace the Lady Bears.

Sergent contributed a triple and a double, and Robinson added a double and a single as the young duo continued their strong play.

“Those two are really coming along. Bridget has started pounding the ball, and Savannah is hitting the ball really good,” White said.

Ramsey, Kaitlyn Stittums and Makayla Roberts each added singles.

Ramsey recorded six strikeouts and didn’t allow a walk in the complete-game victory.

Harlan County (5-3) returns to action today at Cocke County, Tenn. Pineville (1-5) will visit Lynn Camp on Monday.

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Harlan Co. 131 153 - 14 10 4

Pineville 011 000 - 2 9 5

Ramsey and McLain; Lee-Theis and Rutherford. WP-Ramsey (1-1). L-Lee-Theis.