VICKI BLAKLEY/Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan pitcher Madison Noe threw to first base during a 12-2 loss to visiting Lee, Va. on Thursday.

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By PAUL LUNSFORD

Staff Writer

The Lee Lady Generals of Virginia pushed across seven runs in the opening inning Thursday and rolled to a 12-2 win over Harlan in five innings.

Sam Ely (7-3) pitched all five innings for Lee. She had four strikeouts and one walk, while allowing five hits. “She pitched well, but didn’t have her best stuff,” said Lee coach Brian Coomer. “They put the ball in play and hit the ball, too.

“Our story all year is that we’ve got people on base and just hadn’t drove them in. Today, we drove them in and got everybody on base. Putting up seven runs in the first inning always gives your pitcher confidence.”

The 7-3 Lady Generals collected 10 hits. Courtney Tabor, Chelsey Parsons and Jessica Crabtree each had two singles. Ely and Kelli Scott each doubled once while Caitlin Roberts and Chelsea Lanningham added one single apiece.

Eighth-grader Madison Brewer (1-2) suffered the loss for the Lady Dragons, She faced eight batters, giving up seven runs on four hits and three walks. Madison Noe allowed five runs on six hits. She walked five, hit one batter and fanned two in 4 2/3 innings.

Jourdan Ledford led Harlan with a double. Noe, Brewer, Anna Karst and Crystal Goins each singled once. Lee sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning with seven scoring to take a commanding advantage. Scott highlighted in the inning with a three-run double. Ely and Parsons also added an RBI hits.

“The first inning was the key to the game,” said Harlan coach Scott Lewis. “I knew that Lee High would be tough and would be a hard-hitting team. They’re always solid.”

Harlan scored twice in the third inning. Goins and Noe each singled and scored on RBIs from Karst and Brewer. The Lady General led 8-2 after the third inning and added three runs in the fourth and another in the fifth inning. Harlan (7-6) returns to action today in the Lady Colonels First Priority/Unite Classic at Whitley County. The event will conclude on Saturday.

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Lee (Va.) 701 31 — 12 10 1

Harlan 002 00 — 2 5 1

Ely and A. Eldridge. Brewer, Noe (2) and Holland. W—Ely (7-3). L—Brewer (1-2).