CHRIS JONES/Harlan Daily Enterprise Harlan County's Raygon Nease raced to third base during a 9-7 loss to Letcher Central on Monday.

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PAUL LUNSFORD

Staff Writer

The visiting Lady Cougars of Letcher Central scored two runs in the eighth innings Monday to defeat Harlan County 9-7.

With one out, Emily Blair walked and scored on a double by Cheyanne Stidham. Bradlyn Polis followed with double to give Letcher the two-run advantage.

The Lady Cougars ended the game on defense with a double play. The victory gives Letcher Central a five-game winning streak.

“Both teams played hard,” said Letcher Central coach Jay Perkins. “I couldn’t be no prouder with my team because we won, but Harlan County has a great team. They were tough at our place (April 30) and we come down here and they’re tough as well.”

Makaley Johnson pitched the complete game for Letcher Central (10-15). She allowed 10 hits, five walks and had six strikeouts.

“Both teams are young at the pitching positions. Makaley is just a freshmen,” added Perkins. Katie Johnson went the distance for the Lady Bears. She gave up 10 hits with six walks and fanned seven. “We played well for three or four innings, and the wheels comes off,” said Harlan County coach Howard White. “We can’t stand prosperity, but we’re getting better.

“I’m please with the way they played. We made some mistakes that costs us the game and that’s the way it goes.” Katelyn Creech powered Letcher Central with four singles. Stidham doubled and singled while Kari Creech added two singles. Annie Boggs and Polis each doubled once.

Savannah Sergent led Harlan County with two doubles. Bridget Robinson doubled and singled. Katelyn Stittums added a triple. Katie Shoemaker had a double, while Johnson, Raygon Nease, Chyanna Harris and Jesse Johnson each singled.

Letcher Central scored once in the first inning while Harlan County scored twice and led 2-1. Jesse Johnson had a two-run single.

The Lady Cougars pushed across four runs in the second inning without the ball leaving the infield. Sergent doubled in the third inning and scored on a single by Nease. Jesse Johnson stole home to pulled the Lady Bears within 5-4 after three innings.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth inning. Harlan County took a 7-4 advantage in the fifth inning with three runs on three hits and one Letcher Central error. Shoemaker highlighted the inning with a two-run double. Nease grounded into a fielder’s choice scoring another run.

The Lady Cougars tied the game in the seventh inning with two runs on one hit and an Harlan County error. Katlyn Creech had an RBI single and Seanna Coots scored on a fielder’s choice by Kari Creech to make it 7-7.

Harlan County (12-11) travels to Jenkins on Wednesday and Knox Central on Thursday. Letcher Central plays host to East Ridge today.

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Letcher Central 140 000 22 — 9 10 1

Harlan County 202 030 00 — 7 10 4

M. Johnson and Blair; K. Johnson and Robinson. W—M. Johnson (10-15). L—K.Johnson.