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	<title>Softball Archives - Sporting Times</title>
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	<title>Softball Archives - Sporting Times</title>
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	<item>
		<title>Who Shined in the Spring of 2024?</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/who-shined-in-the-spring-of-2024/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=who-shined-in-the-spring-of-2024</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Perry Swack]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:17:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Baseball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bowling Green Purples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clinton County Lady Bulldogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greenwood Gators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russell County Lakers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Warren Spartans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Warren East]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=23169</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Part One &#8212; Baseball and Softball By Perry Swack The KHSAA dead period is alive and well as we enter into the month of July. For many coaches and athletes, it’s the only time off they will have all year. Before we dive into fall sports later this month, we wanted to recap an eventful spring around the Greater Bowling Green Area. Keep reading for some of the top headlines from baseball, softball, tennis, track &#38; field, and lacrosse. It [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/who-shined-in-the-spring-of-2024/">Who Shined in the Spring of 2024?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Part One &#8212; Baseball and Softball</p>



<p>By Perry Swack</p>



<p>The KHSAA dead period is alive and well as we enter into the month of July. For many coaches and athletes, it’s the only time off they will have all year. Before we dive into fall sports later this month, we wanted to recap an eventful spring around the Greater Bowling Green Area. Keep reading for some of the top headlines from baseball, softball, tennis, track &amp; field, and lacrosse. It was another banner season for many of our area teams.</p>



<p><strong>Baseball – Russell County wins second region title in three seasons against packed field</strong></p>



<p>After reaching the state finals in 2022, the Russell County Lakers made it back to the state tournament after winning its second region championship in three seasons. The 16th District champions were led by <strong>Mayes Gosser</strong> and <strong>Trace Stringer </strong>at the plate. The junior Gosser led the team with 46 runs, 57 hits, 50 RBI, and a .426 batting average. The senior Stringer had 55 hits, 39 RBI, scored 43 runs, and batted .394. He also led the team on the mound with nearly 60 innings pitched, going 9-1 with a 2.62 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Three pitchers (Stringer, <strong>Austin Bartrug, </strong>and <strong>Lincoln Helm</strong>) combined for a record of 19-3. The Lakers overcame two regular-season losses to Warren East in the regular season to defeat them 12-3 in the region championship game and reach the state tournament.</p>



<p>The Raiders had a great season on the diamond, winning their first district title since arriving in the 15th District. Senior <strong>Maddox Tarrence</strong> led the way with 46 hits, third-best in the 4th Region. Greenwood won its first 14th District championship since 2013 behind one of the top pitching staffs in the state. Junior <strong>Nathan Howard</strong> paced the Gators with a record of 8-1 and 62 strikeouts to go along with a 1.62 ERA. Greenwood’s team ERA of 2.07 was among the state’s best. Elsewhere in the 14th District, <strong>Ethan Reynolds</strong> of South Warren had an outstanding season at the plate, ranking among the state’s best in hits (45), home runs (9), RBI (38), batting average (.455), and slugging percentage (.889).&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bowling Green missed the region tournament for the first time since 2017; however, the Purples started the season 16-0 and won nearly 30 games. Senior <strong>Ethan Madison</strong> led the way with 16 doubles, six home runs, 37 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .755.&nbsp; <strong>Jackson Idlett</strong> posted one of the top earned run averages in the state at 0.86 in over 40 innings of work. <strong>Drew Isenberg</strong> was right behind at 1.35 in over 50 innings on the mound. Idlett, Isenberg, and <strong>Max Buchanon</strong> combined for a record of 18-3. Franklin-Simpson won the 13th District for a second-straight season and reached the region semifinals.</p>



<p><strong>Softball – South Warren reaches state semifinals for third time in program history</strong></p>



<p>South Warren was considered the best softball team in the state of Kentucky for much of the 2024 season and came painstakingly close to appearing in the one game that has eluded the Lady Spartans: the state championship. Coach <strong>Kelly Reynolds’ </strong>club began the season 18-0 en route to a school-record 39 wins. Junior <strong>McLaine Hudson</strong> set the state record for hits in a season with 93, to go along with 81 runs, 67 RBI, 14 doubles, 22 home runs, and a batting average of .620. <strong>Kinleigh Russell</strong> and <strong>Hadley Borders</strong> also posted batting averages above .500 as Russell hit .598 with 55 runs and a team-best 21 doubles, while Borders scattered 60 hits, drew 32 walks, and hit .504. <strong>Layla Ogden</strong> knocked in 65 runs at the plate and went 20-0 with a 1.11 ERA on the mound. The sophomore struck out 144 batters in over 100 innings of work. Teammate <strong>Courtney Norwood</strong> went 16-3 with an ERA of 1.36, compiling 139 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 98 innings. The Lady Spartans will bring back virtually its entire team in 2025, making them an easy favorite to capture the elusive state title next spring.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23171" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4656-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South&#8217;s McLaine Hudson set the state record for hits in a season (93)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Barren County had a banner year on the diamond as well. The Trojanettes reached only their third region title game in the last 25 years (2004, 2010) and nearly sprung the upset on the Lady Spartans in the region finale, before falling 4-2. Senior<strong> Katie Murphy</strong> led the way with a batting average of .570 with 65 hits, 64 runs, 59 RBI,  23 doubles, and seven home runs. Her slugging percentage of 1.044 was also among the state’s best. Freshman pitcher <strong>Shea Bogue</strong> went 22-4 on the mound in nearly 150 innings pitched with 76 strikeouts. Logan County won its fourth 13th District title in five seasons behind <strong>Emerson McKinnis’s</strong> 14 home runs and .536 batting average, while Clinton County captured its first 16th District championship since 2009. Three Lady Bulldogs tallied more than 50 hits as <strong>Lily Hickman</strong> (53), <strong>Lauren Winningham</strong> (51), and <strong>Lexi Messer </strong>(50) led the way.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23172" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-200x300.jpg 200w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-770x1155.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-293x440.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-1400x2100.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4918-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shea Bogue &amp; the Trojanettes reached the region title game for the first time since 2010</figcaption></figure>



<p>Warren East and Greenwood were among the state leaders in various hitting categories, with the Lady Raiders’ <strong>Lydia Jones</strong> batting .488 with 61 hits, 43 runs, 43 RBI, and 15 doubles. Teammate <strong>Jordan Brooks</strong> tallied 57 hits to go along with a .460 batting average. Greenwood’s <strong>Cali Huff</strong> batted .447 with 46 hits, 47 RBI, 43 runs, and a whopping 16 home runs, while <strong>Savannah White</strong> hit .453 with 45 runs and 34 RBI.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23174" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJ4U4707-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Warren East&#8217;s Autumn Brooks</figcaption></figure>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/who-shined-in-the-spring-of-2024/">Who Shined in the Spring of 2024?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>South Warren Goes LONG</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/south-warren-goes-long/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=south-warren-goes-long</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Feist]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 Jun 2024 08:41:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=23083</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Lady Spartans have been a power player in the 4th Region for the past several seasons, but this year they seem to have all the parts to finally get the job finished. First order of business was to start off fast in the first round of the KHSAA State Tournament against Elizabethtown, the 5th Region Champion and their Ace Taytum Spiers. The junior hurler hadn&#8217;t allowed a run in three straight Region Tourney games and scoring first would be [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/south-warren-goes-long/">South Warren Goes LONG</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="749" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-1024x749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23084" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-1024x749.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-300x219.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-770x563.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-1536x1123.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-2048x1497.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-293x214.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0287-1400x1023.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The Lady Spartans have been a power player in the 4th Region for the past several seasons, but this year they seem to have all the parts to finally get the job finished. First order of business was to start off fast in the first round of the KHSAA State Tournament against Elizabethtown, the 5th Region Champion and their Ace Taytum Spiers. The junior hurler hadn&#8217;t allowed a run in three straight Region Tourney games and scoring first would be crucial for South Warren. </p>



<p>They did just that.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="860" height="1005" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0349.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23089" style="width:792px;height:auto" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0349.jpg 860w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0349-257x300.jpg 257w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0349-770x900.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0349-293x342.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 860px) 100vw, 860px" /></figure>



<p>The leadoff batter McLaine Hudson tripled off Spiers to left center and then scored on Kinleigh Russell&#8217;s sacrifice fly. After Hadley Borders singled, she came home on Layla Ogden&#8217;s single to make it 2-0 after one inning. That&#8217;s really all the Lady Spartans needed thanks to Ogden&#8217;s pitching, who went four-innings allowing just two hits and two runs while striking out eight and walking three on 65-pitches. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="949" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129-1024x949.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23088" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129-1024x949.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129-300x278.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129-770x713.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129-1536x1423.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129-293x271.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129-1400x1297.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0129.jpg 1741w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The Lady Spartans didn&#8217;t let up although they were held scoreless in the second, they more than made up for it in the third when Russell drew a leadoff walk off Spiers, then after a flyball out, Ogden stepped up and helped her own cause with a homer to centerfield to make it 4-0. After Spiers struck out Hayden Holloway, Courtney Norwood jumped on a pitch and knocked it over the leftfield wall to increase their lead to 5-0. South Warren scored in five of the seven innings they batted in and Ogden, who for the most part kept Elizabethtown under control, did bend once in the bottom of the third when Claire Miller hit a leadoff single then Aislyn Burnett walked and both came home on Spiers double to right center. However, Ogden settled down striking out Emil Schmidt and Alyssa Philpot then getting Avery Simpson to ground out to end the inning.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="841" height="1024" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0062-841x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23095" style="width:765px;height:auto" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0062-841x1024.jpg 841w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0062-246x300.jpg 246w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0062-770x938.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0062-500x609.jpg 500w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0062-293x357.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0062.jpg 1137w" sizes="(max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px" /></figure>



<p>South Warren didn&#8217;t let up and put four more runs up in the top of the fourth when Wilson walked with one out then Hudson homered to right center to make it 7-2. Russell then reached on a fielding error and then after Borders walked, Ogden reached on a fielding error. Holloway singled scoring Russell then Norwood struck out, but Borders scored on a passed ball as a result making it 9-2. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="729" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-1024x729.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23091" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-1024x729.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-300x214.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-770x548.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-1536x1094.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-2048x1459.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-293x209.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0402-1400x997.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Although Spiers struggled against the Lady Spartans allowing eleven hits, she did total seven strikeouts against the Top Ranked team in the state despite throwing 156-pitches. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="651" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0450-1024x651.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23085" style="width:783px;height:auto" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0450-1024x651.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0450-300x191.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0450-770x490.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0450-1536x977.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>South Warren tacked on two more runs giving Norwood a little more insurance, who took over for Ogden, who retired with a 9-2 lead. Norwood went the last three innings allowing three hits, but no runs on 51-pitches. </p>



<p>Elizabethtown ends the 2024 season with a 23-4 record and will lose three seniors (Schmidt, Simpson and Reynolds). Coach Schmidt will return Spiers and the rest of the batting lineup.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="764" src="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-1024x764.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-23094" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-1024x764.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-300x224.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-770x574.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-1536x1146.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-2048x1527.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-293x219.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/0E1A0857-1400x1044.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Meanwhile, South Warren will move on to round two of the State Tourney and a date with Lexington Catholic today at 5:30. Lady Spartan coach Kelly Reynolds had to be impressed with her team&#8217;s performance but knows that it must continue as they are shooting for a date on Saturday June 15th.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/south-warren-goes-long/">South Warren Goes LONG</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>Lady Gators make Triumphant Return to State Tournament</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/lady-gators-make-triumphant-return-to-state-tournament/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=lady-gators-make-triumphant-return-to-state-tournament</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Perry Swack]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jun 2023 15:56:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greenwood Gators]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=22451</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Greenwood faces off with 6th Region champion Mercy on Thursday evening By Perry Swack One of the most successful programs in KHSAA softball history, Greenwood won three state championships and six region titles in nine seasons between 2006 and 2014. However, the Lady Gators failed to make it back to the state tournament in each of the last seven seasons, falling in the region finale twice (2016, 2022). An exciting 2023 season saw first-year manager Rodney Bush get the program [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/lady-gators-make-triumphant-return-to-state-tournament/">Lady Gators make Triumphant Return to State Tournament</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p><em>Greenwood faces off with 6th Region champion Mercy on Thursday evening</em></p>



<p>By Perry Swack</p>



<p>One of the most successful programs in KHSAA softball history, Greenwood won three state championships and six region titles in nine seasons between 2006 and 2014. However, the Lady Gators failed to make it back to the state tournament in each of the last seven seasons, falling in the region finale twice (2016, 2022). An exciting 2023 season saw first-year manager Rodney Bush get the program back to the Sweet 16 for a twelfth time, ranking in the top five among all Kentucky high schools.</p>



<p>Nothing about the 2023 campaign came easy for the Lady Gators, who played five games against other state tournament teams and also four games against its crosstown rival, South Warren, who spent the entire season ranked in the state’s top 3.</p>



<p>Greenwood is led by one of the state’ top pitchers, senior <strong>Kayden Murray</strong>. The Lindsey Wilson commit is 13-6 with 207 strikeouts and holds a 1.47 ERA, among the state leaders in both categories. In the 4th Region Tournament, Murray threw consecutive no-hitters in the opening two rounds, fanning 34 batters in the process. In the title game, the right hander helped cool one of the state’s best teams at the plate as the Lady Gators won 2-1&nbsp; over the Lady Spartans. In that region finale, GHS managed five hits, none bigger than a two-run home run by <strong>Cali Huff</strong> that proved to be the game-winner.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22453" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U6720-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Coach Bush’s lineup features three hitters batting around or above .400, led by <strong>Savannah White</strong> at .439. <strong>Lydia Kirby</strong> is also batting .439 with eight home runs 21 RBI, and a team-best 43 hits and 12 doubles. <strong>Elise Kirby</strong> is hitting .385 with 37 hits and 23 RBI. Huff leads the team with nine home runs and 27 RBI. To make a deep run in the state event, the Lady Gators will need both their bats and their ace on the tops of their games.</p>



<p>Greenwood’s opening round opponent is sixth region champion, Mercy (27-6). The 4th Region champions are 4-2 all-time against the Jaguars. A win over Mercy would propel the Lady Gators into a quarterfinal meeting with 8th Region champion, Woodford County, or the #1 team in the state, Ballard on Saturday at 11:00 AM EST. Ballard – also ranked #2 nationally – eked out a 1-0 victory over Greenwood in mid-April that lasted 11 innings. Although the Lady Bruins seem unbeatable with their 32-1 overall record, the Lady Gators would at least believe that they have a chance to make some noise. The semifinals and finals will be played on June 9 and 10 back in Lexington.</p>



<p>Greenwood and Mercy play at John Cropp Stadium on the campus of the University of Kentucky on Thursday, June 1 at 6:00 PM EST.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22454" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CJ4U7133-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/lady-gators-make-triumphant-return-to-state-tournament/">Lady Gators make Triumphant Return to State Tournament</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>REDEMPTION</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/redemption/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=redemption</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Feist]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 May 2023 03:54:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=22395</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>For the Central Hardin Softball team, a team which had dominated the 5th Region for nearly five straight years (from 2015-2016-2017-2018-2019), there was a moment during their Regional Championship game against Green County that may have defined their season when the Lady Dragons had two aboard with no outs and the Lady Bruins leading 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning. Against a team which Central Hardin had owned for nearly five straight seasons, things had changed dramatically after [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/redemption/">REDEMPTION</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1362-1024x723.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22396" width="802" height="565" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1362-1024x723.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1362-300x212.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1362-293x207.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px" /></figure>



<p>For the Central Hardin Softball team, a team which had dominated the 5th Region for nearly five straight years (from 2015-2016-2017-2018-2019), there was a moment during their Regional Championship game against Green County that may have defined their season when the Lady Dragons had two aboard with no outs and the Lady Bruins leading 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="635" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-1024x635.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22398" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-1024x635.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-300x186.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-770x478.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-1536x953.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-2048x1271.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-293x182.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0465-1400x869.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Against a team which Central Hardin had owned for nearly five straight seasons, things had changed dramatically after 2020, when the Lady Bruins, which looked like a team which was about to maybe go six, seven or possibly eight straight seasons hoisting Region trophies and celebrating consecutive trips to the KHSAA State Tournament, suddenly kept finding ways to not only beat them, but end their season. Starting with 2021 on an eighth inning jailbreak by Tanlee Hudgins and then in 2022 again in extra innings with Hudgins scoring the game winner on Katie Church&#8217;s timely single. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="944" height="1024" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0704-944x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22399" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0704-944x1024.jpg 944w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0704-277x300.jpg 277w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0704-770x835.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0704-293x318.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0704.jpg 1184w" sizes="(max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px" /></figure>



<p>Ironically, for Green County, it was another opportunity to recapture the Region title that they reclaimed in 2021, but was unable to defend last season when they imploded in the late innings against Marion County in the Final Four. It was another chance for the Lady Dragons to prove that things were different. Since the cancelled spring sports season, the Lady Dragons, who were unable to match up with Central Hardin from 2015-to-2019 (and had their playoff hopes ended by them for three straight years from 2017-to-2019) were now suddenly 3-0 against them and despite the graduation of Hudgins, were still pretty good after knocking off last year&#8217;s Region  Champion (Elizabethtown) in nine innings, coach Jeff Wright&#8217;s girls had to feel like they had their mojo back and were ready for Central Hardin.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="784" height="1024" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0573-784x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22400" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0573-784x1024.jpg 784w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0573-230x300.jpg 230w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0573-770x1005.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0573-293x383.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0573.jpg 965w" sizes="(max-width: 784px) 100vw, 784px" /></figure>



<p>On the other hand, the Lady Bruins looked much like the same team which won all those Region title during the regular season mind you.</p>



<p> The playoffs were a different matter. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="892" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0401-1024x892.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22401" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0401-1024x892.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0401-300x261.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0401-770x671.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0401-293x255.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0401.jpg 1104w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>First, there were the two district title losses to Elizabethtown when the Lady Bruins batting lineup struggled mightly against the Region&#8217;s new wonder woman, Taytum Spiers. Both losses put Central Hardin in the losers bracket for the Region draw and guess who they faced in the first round both times?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="970" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607-1024x970.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22402" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607-1024x970.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607-300x284.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607-770x729.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607-1536x1454.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607-293x277.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607-1400x1326.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0607.jpg 1564w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Still, this season&#8217;s Central Hardin team had plenty of experience as coach Jaime Goodman once again masterfully was able to integrate new faces in the lineup despite multiple graduation losses in the starting nine. </p>



<p>Just as impressive was the pitching rotation which featured last season&#8217;s junior sensation Jenna Smith and this season&#8217;s midseason surprise sophomore Emma Watkins, who like Smith has proved herself in the circle under fire.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22403" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-300x300.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-100x100.jpg 100w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-770x770.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-293x293.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-390x390.jpg 390w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-585x585.jpg 585w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-900x900.jpg 900w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263-1400x1401.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1263.jpg 1617w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>So, early in the sixth inning, Goodman tipped his hand and switched out Watkins, who had up to this point had turned in a masterful performance despite pitching in several innings with runners on base. Just as he had done the night before against Taylor County, the Lady Bruin mastermind brought in Smith, who started at third (Reese Nickell replaced her at third) to face the next two batters with runners at second and third.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="978" height="894" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0528.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22404" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0528.jpg 978w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0528-300x274.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0528-770x704.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0528-293x268.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 978px) 100vw, 978px" /></figure>



<p>With the game on the line and a chance for Green County to either possibly tie the game or take the lead, Smith got Kinsey Robertson to ground out, then Brianna Johnson to strikeout ending the threat. </p>



<p>In every championship season, there is a moment of truth, when the ball either rolls your way or it doesn&#8217;t. In this case, Smith&#8217;s two outs may have been that defining moment. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="741" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0787-1024x741.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22405" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0787-1024x741.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0787-300x217.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0787-770x558.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0787-293x212.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I0787.jpg 1091w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The Lady Bruins responded to their good fortune by adding another run in the bottom of the sixth when Addison Carter singled past shortstop making the score 4-1 and they needed it as the Lady Dragons weren&#8217;t through.</p>



<p>After Bella Johnson popped out in the top of the seventh, Lily Beard and Allie Burris both were aboard with one out and with Caulk, who had pitched a great game herself for Green County came up as the tying run, the game was far from over.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="541" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-1024x541.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22406" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-1024x541.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-300x158.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-770x407.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-1536x811.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-2048x1081.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-293x155.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1108-1400x739.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Smith shut them down first getting Caulk to ground out and then Katie Church to pop up to the catcher for the final out.</p>



<p>When Avery Strader squeezed the final out, the Lady Bruin dugout erupted. It was a celebration for a group of girls who had never been in this situation before. True. Both Strader and second baseman Aylssa Gent were both varsity members of the 2019 team (even though they didn&#8217;t play much), but like the others like Alanna Jones, Lynlee Britian, Kayla Hardesty, Allie Link, Payton Campbell, Adison Carter, Smith and Watkins it was a totally new experience and after losing their 2020 season and the disappointments in 2021 and 2022 it must have felt like total redemption.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22407" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1476-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Afterwards, the senior class of Gent, Strader, Jones, Britian and Hardesty credited both the coaching staff and their challenging schedule to their success this season along with the two previous seasons as a driving force towards this season and the final prize. </p>



<p>Afterwards, the girls gave coach Goodman the customary Region Title Gatorade Bath, which was as very well executed as any hit and run the Lady Bruins ran this season. Although coach must have known it was coming (he&#8217;s already been through six of them). He also knows a little bit about rebuilding a title team as this group of five, which just graduated this weekend and are now preparing for life after high school will be also getting ready for something just as big for their first trip and game in the KHSAA State Tournament at Cropp Field in Lexington, KY next Friday at 9:00 pm.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22408" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EX4I1442-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>In one week, possibly two, Goodman will begin looking ahead to next season as a different group of girls will be ready to take over, but at least for now Gatorade baths and trophy poses are the rage for a bunch of girls which finally got what they had dreamed about ever since they began their first varsity practice in 2021 and what the redemption must finally taste like.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/redemption/">REDEMPTION</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>Barren County remains one of state&#8217;s final unbeaten softball teams</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/barren-county-remains-one-of-states-final-unbeaten-softball-teams/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=barren-county-remains-one-of-states-final-unbeaten-softball-teams</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Perry Swack]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:04:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barren County Lady Trojanettes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greenwood Lady Gators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Logan County Lady Cougars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russellville Lady Panthers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Warren Lady Spartans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Warren East Lady Raiders]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=22374</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Sporting Times Top Ten Week 5&#160; *Records as of April 10* (Previous Ranking) Outlook: South Warren toured Alabama and Florida during its spring break, playing eight games last week. The Lady Spartans went 6-2 on their road trip and now return to Bowling Green for a four-game set in Week 5. Freshman McLaine Hudson has seamlessly transitioned from the hardwood to the diamond, batting .583 this season with six doubles, three home runs, and a perfect 17-for-17 on stolen base [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/barren-county-remains-one-of-states-final-unbeaten-softball-teams/">Barren County remains one of state&#8217;s final unbeaten softball teams</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Sporting Times Top Ten</p>



<p><strong><em></em></strong><strong>Week 5&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p><strong></strong><strong>*Records as of April 10* (Previous Ranking)</strong></p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>South Warren Lady Spartans</strong> 12-2 (1)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: South Warren toured Alabama and Florida during its spring break, playing eight games last week. The Lady Spartans went 6-2 on their road trip and now return to Bowling Green for a four-game set in Week 5. Freshman <strong>McLaine Hudson</strong> has seamlessly transitioned from the hardwood to the diamond, batting .583 this season with six doubles, three home runs, and a perfect 17-for-17 on stolen base attempts.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>at Green County (Tuesday), Bowling Green (Thursday), Franklin-Simpson &amp; McCracken County (Saturday @ Marshall County Slugfest)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="2">
<li><strong>Greenwood Lady Gators</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong>7-4 (2)<strong></strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Lady Gators traveled to Alabama and Elizabethtown during its spring break, going 5-3 across eight games. Greenwood freshman <strong>Cali Huff</strong> is tied for third in the state with six home runs over the first month of the season. New manager <strong>Rodney Bush</strong> and his team get a few days off before two games at the end of the week, including a road meeting with defending state champion Ballard.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>at Warren Central (Thursday), at Ballard (Friday)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="3">
<li><strong>Barren County Trojanettes</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong><strong> </strong>11-0 (6)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: One of only six remaining undefeated teams in the state of Kentucky, the Trojanettes have been on a tear in the first month of the softball season. Junior <strong>Katie Murphy</strong> has picked up right where she left off in 2022, batting .559 with 20 hits, 25 RBI, seven doubles, and four triples. Barren County plays every weekday of Week 5, starting with a home date against #5 Russellville which they won 15-5.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule:</strong> at Allen County-Scottsville (Tuesday), at Grayson County (Wednesday), at Glasgow (Thursday), at Cumberland County (Friday)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="4">
<li><strong>Warren East Lady Raiders</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong><strong> </strong>12-6 (3)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: Like many area teams, Warren East did not rest during its spring break. The Lady Raiders traveled to Tennessee and went 6-2, scoring 56 runs in the process. Junior outfielder <strong>Madison Hymer</strong> leads the team with a .508 batting average, 23 runs, and 20 hits on the season. Coach Phil McKinney’s club will be looking for its first 15th District win this week when it travels to Glasgow.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule:</strong> at Glasgow (Tuesday), at Trinity Whiteseville (Thursday)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="5">
<li><strong>Russellville Lady Panthers</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong><strong> </strong>8-4 (5)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: Russellville has had a hot start to its 2023 season, led by senior <strong>A’miyah Collier</strong> and her .500 batting average. The Lady Panther star has cranked five home runs, 19 hits, 15 runs, and 14 RBI. RHS has only three losses through the season’s first month, all to teams ranked highly in the state. On Saturday, the club nearly knocked off Male but fell 3-2.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>at Barren County (Monday), at Franklin-Simpson (Tuesday), Dawson Springs (Thursday), Butler County (Friday)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="6">
<li><strong>Logan County Lady Cougars</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong><strong> </strong>6-3 (8)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Logan County duo of <strong>Nora Epley</strong> and <strong>Sydni Blick</strong> have had a blistering start to their season with both batting .480. <strong>Emerson McKinnis</strong> has also belted four home runs through the season’s first month as the Lady Cougars have won four of their last five games. In Week 4, LCHS nearly upset #2 Greenwood but fell by a run in extra innings.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>Hopkins County Central (Monday), Todd County Central (Tuesday), Bowling Green (Friday), at Christian County (Saturday)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="7">
<li><strong>Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots</strong><strong> </strong>7-4 (4)<strong></strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Lady Patriots traveled to Tennessee last week and played in five games, including the Soddy Daisy Invitational. ACS went 2-3 and have returned now for an important district game with Barren County on Tuesday. <strong>Ally Anderson</strong> leads the team with a .560 batting average, 17 runs, 14 hits, and two home runs. With only one game scheduled for Week 5, the Lady Patriots will look to improve to 2-0 in District 15 play.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>Barren County (Tuesday)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="8">
<li><strong>Franklin-Simpson Lady Wildcats</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong>4-7 (7)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: Franklin-Simpson started the season 1-5 but have rebounded with consecutive wins to improve to 4-7. <strong>Allie Utley</strong> leads the team with a .457 batting average, while <strong>Kloie Smith</strong> has knocked in 14 runs and belted four home runs through the season’s opening month. The Lady Wildcats started the week with an extra-inning victory over Warren East and now turn their sights on district matchups with Russellville and Todd County Central, as well as a Saturday showdown with South Warren.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>Russellville (Tuesday), at Todd County Central (Wednesday), vs. McCracken County (Friday at Marshall County Slugfest), vs. South Warren &amp; Marshall County (Saturday at Marshall County Slugfest)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="9">
<li><strong>Clinton County</strong> <strong>Lady Bulldogs</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong><strong> </strong>8-7 (9)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Lady Bulldogs have won their last two games to move to 8-7 on the year. <strong>Lauren Winningham</strong> and <strong>Ella Marlow</strong> each have identical .467 batting averages with 21 hits. Winningham also has 18 RBI to her name. Clinton opens district play this week with games against Monroe County and Cumberland County.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>Monroe County (Tuesday), at Cumberland County (Thursday), at Glasgow (Friday), Rockcastle County (Saturday)</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="10">
<li><strong>Todd County Central Lady Rebels</strong><strong> </strong>8-7 (NR)</li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Lady Rebels have been led by <strong>Abigail McPherson</strong> and <strong>Averie Luckenbill</strong> through the season’s first month. The senior McPherson is batting .432 with 14 runs, 15 RBI, 16 hits, and three home runs. The junior Luckenbill is batting .415 with 17 hits, 15 runs, and 13 RBI. Todd County lost its first district game of 2023 but will look to get back on track with two games against district opponents in Week 5.</p>



<p><strong>Week 5 Schedule: </strong>at Logan County (Tuesday), Franklin-Simpson (Wednesday), Queen City Classic (three games Friday/Saturday)</p>



<p><strong>Next Teams Up: </strong>Glasgow, Cumberland County</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/barren-county-remains-one-of-states-final-unbeaten-softball-teams/">Barren County remains one of state&#8217;s final unbeaten softball teams</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>Sporting Times Preseason Top Ten</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/sporting-times-preseason-top-ten/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=sporting-times-preseason-top-ten</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Perry Swack]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:06:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allen County-Scottsville Patriots]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Greenwood Gators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Prep softball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russellville Panthers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Warren Spartans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Warren East Raiders]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=22284</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>4th Region Softball Lady Spartans and Lady Gators lead the list with state championship aspirations Outlook: A state semifinalist in 2022, South Warren returns its top hitter (McLaine Hudson) and three of its top four pitchers. The freshman Hudson batted .570 a season ago, picking up 85 hits, seven home runs, and a perfect 25/25 on stolen base attempts. Eighth-grader Courtney Norwood returns to the mound after going 12-2 with 81 strikeouts and a 1.81 ERA. Layla Ogden and Kendall [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/sporting-times-preseason-top-ten/">Sporting Times Preseason Top Ten</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="has-large-font-size">4th Region Softball</p>



<p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Lady Spartans and Lady Gators lead the list with state championship aspirations</em></p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>South Warren Lady Spartans</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: A state semifinalist in 2022, South Warren returns its top hitter (<strong>McLaine Hudson</strong>) and three of its top four pitchers. The freshman Hudson batted .570 a season ago, picking up 85 hits, seven home runs, and a perfect 25/25 on stolen base attempts. Eighth-grader <strong>Courtney Norwood</strong> returns to the mound after going 12-2 with 81 strikeouts and a 1.81 ERA. <strong>Layla Ogden</strong> and <strong>Kendall Willingham</strong> also return after going a combined 14-0 with 78 strikeouts in 99.4 innings pitched.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G8313.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22287" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G8313.jpg 800w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G8313-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G8313-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G8313-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G8313-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G8313-293x195.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="2">
<li><strong>Greenwood Lady Gators</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The only team to beat South Warren a season ago in the 4th Region, Greenwood is looking to win its first region title since 2014 under first-year coach Rodney Bush. Senior ace <strong>Kayden Murray</strong> returns after compiling a record of 23-4 on the mound in 2022 with a 0.61 ERA. She struck out 287 batters in 172.1 innings of work. <strong>Lydia Kirby</strong> and <strong>Cali Huff </strong>will feature in the Gator lineup after batting .353 and .368 respectively. The freshman Huff hit 10 home runs last year and Kirby drove nine out of the ballpark.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7837.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22288" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7837.jpg 800w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7837-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7837-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7837-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7837-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7837-293x195.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="3">
<li><strong>Warren East Lady Raiders</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: Although the Lady Raiders will have to replace one of their most accomplished softball players in the history of their program (Emma Markham), Phil McKinney’s club returns its top three hitters for the 2023 campaign. <strong>Lydia Jones</strong> batted .519 with 54 hits, while <strong>Haylie Brasel</strong> hit .468 and scored 32 runs with 29 batted in. <strong>Madison Hymer</strong> rounds out the trio with a .419 average, 49 hits, and two home runs. The Lady Raiders will make their debut in the 15th District looking to return to the 4th Region Tournament after appearing every season between 2017 and 2021.</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="4">
<li><strong>Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Lady Patriots will be returning six of their top seven hitters from last season, as well as two of their top three pitchers. Freshman <strong>Hadley Borders</strong> will power the team after batting .505 with 36 runs scored and 21 RBI. Sophomore <strong>Ally Anderson</strong> also returns after batting .446 in 2022, as does <strong>Jacie Rice</strong> and her 27 runs batted in. With no seniors on the team this season, ACS will be looking to win back-to-back district tournaments for the first time since 2015-16 (came on the tail end of a four-peat from 2013-16).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7866.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22289" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7866.jpg 800w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7866-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7866-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7866-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7866-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7866-293x195.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jacie Rice</figcaption></figure>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="5">
<li><strong>Russellville Lady Panthers</strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: After winning the 13th District title in 2022 and reaching the 4th Region semifinals, Russellville will be hungry for more in 2023 as it returns star senior <strong>A’miyah Collier</strong>. As a junior, she batted .491 with 56 runs scored, 33 RBI, 11 doubles, and 13 home runs. On the mound, she started 21 games and made 27 appearances (16-7) while striking out 112 batters. In addition to Collier, the Lady Panthers return six of their top hitters including <strong>Jaylah Kees</strong> (.366, nine doubles) and <strong>Madison Penrod </strong>(.408, 29 RBI). Ryan Davenport’s club is favored to win its second district title in a row.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7480.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22290" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7480.jpg 800w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7480-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7480-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7480-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7480-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7480-293x195.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A&#8217;miyah Collier</figcaption></figure>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="6">
<li><strong>Barren County Trojanettes</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Trojanettes will have to replace the trio of <strong>Allie Anderson, Lilie Broady,</strong> and <strong>Cora Bogue</strong> but return junior <strong>Katie Murphy</strong> and <strong>Riley Reed</strong> to the lineup. Murphy batted .476 with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, 38 RBI, and swiped 18 bases in 2022. <strong>Alyssa Curtis</strong> will be the most experienced returning pitcher after starting four games and making seven appearances (2-1) a season ago.</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="7">
<li><strong>Franklin-Simpson Lady Wildcats</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: After going 23-12 in 2022 but missing out on the 4th Region Tournament, Franklin-Simpson is ready to make some noise this season. Returning its top two hitters and top pitcher will go a long way in helping Todd Caudill’s club seek to win its first 13th District championship since 2018. Sophomore <strong>Allie Utley</strong> hit .442 last season, scoring 41 runs, knocking in 31, and stealing 23 out of 23 bases for the Lady Wildcats. Freshman <strong>Kloie Smith </strong>also returns for Franklin after batting .438 with 36 RBI in 2022. <strong>Hanna Arthur</strong> will look to have another strong season on the mound after going 17-10 in 30 starts with a 2.95 ERA last year.</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="8">
<li><strong>Logan County Lady Cougars</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: Winners of the 13th District Tournament in 2019 and 2021, Logan County will be looking to get back in the winner’s circle after a runner-up finish in 2022. Junior<strong> Hailey Burgess</strong> returns after batting .416 and going 4-0 in 17 pitching appearances with a 4.07 ERA. Fellow juniors <strong>Nora Epley</strong> and <strong>Shayla Johnson </strong>also return after batting above .300 last season.</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="9">
<li><strong>Clinton County</strong> <strong>Lady Bulldogs</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Lady Bulldogs return their top three hitters and two of their top three pitchers from their district runner-up squad of a season ago. Seniors<strong> Loren Little </strong>and <strong>Ella Marlow </strong>will look to lead the team after batting .525 and .451 in 2022, as Marlow also drove in 31 runs. Sophomore <strong>Lily Hickman</strong> batted .515 with 27 RBI and struck out 40 batters with a team-best 3.34 ERA on the mound.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="800" height="533" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7514.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-22291" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7514.jpg 800w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7514-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7514-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7514-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7514-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BL2G7514-293x195.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lily Hickman</figcaption></figure>



<ol class="wp-block-list" start="10">
<li><strong>Russell County Lady Lakers</strong></li>
</ol>



<p>Outlook: The Lady Lakers of Russell County will be looking to win their sixth district title in seven seasons when they take the field this spring. Senior <strong>Emma Popplewell</strong> returns for Tonya Rexroat’s club after batting .433 and eleven doubles in 2022. Freshman <strong>Kiara Kemp </strong>is the only returner with mound experience after going 2-0 in nine appearances with a 2.78 ERA.</p>



<p><strong>Next Team Up: </strong>Cumberland County</p>



<p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="928" height="400" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7212-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-22292" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7212-1.png 928w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7212-1-300x129.png 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7212-1-770x332.png 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_7212-1-293x126.png 293w" sizes="(max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px" /></figure>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/sporting-times-preseason-top-ten/">Sporting Times Preseason Top Ten</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>Elizabethtown&#8217;s Magical Mystery Tour comes to a Close</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/elizabethtowns-magical-mystery-tour-comes-to-a-close/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=elizabethtowns-magical-mystery-tour-comes-to-a-close</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Feist]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 2022 02:06:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=21688</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Two days after winning the most important game in Elizabethtown Softball history, pitcher Taytum Spiers took the circle against McCracken County in the first round of the KHSAA State Fastpitch Softball Tournament in Lexington, KY. Although the eighth-grader nearly went the distance, she wasn’t able to control the powerful Lady Mustangs for long as one of the highest scoring offenses in the state finally put the Lady Panthers Dream Season to rest, 9-6 in the first round at John Cropp [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/elizabethtowns-magical-mystery-tour-comes-to-a-close/">Elizabethtown&#8217;s Magical Mystery Tour comes to a Close</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-1024x900.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21689" width="802" height="704" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-1024x900.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-300x264.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-770x677.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-1536x1350.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-2048x1801.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-293x258.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/284840083_428033908861984_3035936410946584219_n-1-1400x1231.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 802px) 100vw, 802px" /></figure>



<p>Two days after winning the most important game in Elizabethtown Softball history, pitcher Taytum Spiers took the circle against McCracken County in the first round of the KHSAA State Fastpitch Softball Tournament in Lexington, KY. Although the eighth-grader nearly went the distance, she wasn’t able to control the powerful Lady Mustangs for long as one of the highest scoring offenses in the state finally put the Lady Panthers Dream Season to rest, 9-6 in the first round at John Cropp Stadium. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="856" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n-1024x856.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21691" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n-1024x856.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n-300x251.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n-770x644.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n-1536x1284.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n-293x245.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n-1400x1170.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289023831_806751706916657_1828464842697648078_n.jpg 1603w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Elizabethtown did jump on McCracken County starter Ally Hutchins early for a couple of runs and held a 3-1 lead after three innings until the Lady Mustangs kept chipping away and finally reclaimed the lead and never gave it back despite some fifth inning action to make things tight. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="640" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21692" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n-300x187.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n-770x481.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n-293x183.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n-1400x875.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288536145_763127314868472_3561020103542184836_n.jpg 1581w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Spiers allowed 13-hits and nine-runs in a little over six-innings of work while throwing 142-pitches finally giving way to Kylie McKinney needing two outs to close out the top of the seventh. The Lady Panthers got things going quickly after Spiers retired the Lady Mustangs in the top of the first when Spiers singled (and was pich ran for) and Natalie Shaw walked then both came home on a double by Alyssa Philpot to make it 2-0, E-Town. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1016" height="727" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/289687707_494397339125604_8392060512081719497_n.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21693" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289687707_494397339125604_8392060512081719497_n.jpg 1016w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289687707_494397339125604_8392060512081719497_n-300x215.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289687707_494397339125604_8392060512081719497_n-770x551.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289687707_494397339125604_8392060512081719497_n-293x210.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="827" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n-1024x827.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21694" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n-1024x827.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n-300x242.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n-770x622.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n-1536x1240.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n-293x237.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n-1400x1131.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289410218_416948193656840_397729941468053395_n.jpg 1829w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>McCracken County got one back when Hutchins singled (then was pinch ran for) and eventually came home on Annie White’s single. The Lady Panthers got another run when Hannah Riley opened with a single and eventually scored on Philpot’s second double to make it 3-1 after three-innings</p>



<p>. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21696" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/289149958_442911933934369_5655256405321538577_n-1-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Then things changed big time when Hutchins singled again to open the fourth (was pinch ran for) and eventually scored when Annie White reached on a fielding error to make it 3-2. Then after the pinch runner reached second and scored on Isabella Story’s single to make it a 3-3 tie. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="893" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n-1024x893.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21697" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n-1024x893.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n-300x262.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n-770x672.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n-1536x1340.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n-293x256.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n-1400x1221.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/288936288_5043990059047114_6549413476060679264_n.jpg 2003w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>After Raygan Rodgers reached on a fielder’s choice, she would eventually score to put McCracken County ahead for good, 4-3. The Lady Mustangs would get three more in the top of the fifth, the biggest blow was Fox’s lead off blast. Now trailing 7-3, the Lady Panthers could have packed it in, but they came out swinging in the bottom of the fifth. After Elizabethtown loaded the bases with no outs, two runs came home on Elizabeth Schwemmer’s singled scoring two runs ( a third run came home on a throwing error) and cut in the lead to make it 7-6 with two innings left. McCracken County added two more when Rhea-Lee Joiner singled to center scoring two and making it 9-6 which is how the game ended. Hutchins got the win going five innings allowing 8-hits and 5-earned runs, striking out 13-batters and throwing 115-pitches. Spiers when 6.1 innings allowing 13-hits, 7-earned runs and 7-strikeouts while throwing 142 -pitches. Riley had three hits while Philpot and Schmidt had two each in the loss. Elizabethtown’s season ended at 30-9 and should be ready to go next season with plenty of talent remaining.</p>



<p>Many thanks to Scheena Schmidt for photos</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/elizabethtowns-magical-mystery-tour-comes-to-a-close/">Elizabethtown&#8217;s Magical Mystery Tour comes to a Close</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>The First One’s Always the Hardest</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/the-first-ones-always-the-hardest/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-first-ones-always-the-hardest</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Feist]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jun 2022 11:05:41 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=21663</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When Jimmy Schmidt was standing with his team, the Elizabethtown Lady Panther softball team while having the pictures taken during the post-game ceremony after the team’s first ever 5th Region championship in the sport, his mind must have drifted back to something his old friend John Rogers once told him in that “Getting there is hard. Staying is harder.” Well, after the Lady Panthers dramatic 2-0 win over Marion County in the Region Championship game on a cool Tuesday evening [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/the-first-ones-always-the-hardest/">The First One’s Always the Hardest</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="739" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2-1024x739.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21665" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2-1024x739.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2-300x217.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2-770x556.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2-1536x1109.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2-293x212.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2-1400x1011.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8535-2.jpg 1943w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>When Jimmy Schmidt was standing with his team, the Elizabethtown Lady Panther softball team while having the pictures taken during the post-game ceremony after the team’s first ever 5<sup>th</sup> Region championship in the sport, his mind must have drifted back to something his old friend John Rogers once told him in that “Getting there is hard. Staying is harder.” </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="392" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-1024x392.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21666" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-1024x392.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-300x115.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-770x295.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-1536x589.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-2048x785.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-293x112.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7688-2-1400x536.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Well, after the Lady Panthers dramatic 2-0 win over Marion County in the Region Championship game on a cool Tuesday evening at Thomas Nelson high school, he was inclined to believe him. Part of the story was the plan behind his ability to build a team slowly after coming over to take the Elizabethtown softball coaching job after Matt Mardis left over five years ago after assistant coaching stints at Bethlehem and Nelson County and saw some success early while rebuilding a team which had seen moderate success in the past. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="703" height="1024" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7845-2-703x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21667" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7845-2-703x1024.jpg 703w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7845-2-206x300.jpg 206w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7845-2-770x1121.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7845-2-293x427.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A7845-2.jpg 869w" sizes="(max-width: 703px) 100vw, 703px" /></figure>



<p>After reaching the Region tournament in the past three seasons, Schmidt wanted more and began putting together a strong pitching staff behind Kylie Mckinney and last season’s middle-school surprise Taytum Spiers. After winning the District Tournament last season behind Spier’s pitching gem, the Lady Panthers fell victim to Marion County in the semi-finals of the Region Tournament. This season, a year older, Schmidt sent Spiers to the circle again to face those same Lady Knights (in the Regional Final) and this time threw a shutout despite throwing 132-pitches and rang up 12-K’s after throwing 125 (pitches) the previous day and 15-strikeouts in a 2-1 win over Bethlehem.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="632" height="725" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8338-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21668" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8338-2.jpg 632w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8338-2-262x300.jpg 262w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8338-2-293x336.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px" /></figure>



<p> Spiers may have been the story of the tournament, but the game winner was scored by senior Natalie Shaw, who reached base on an infield single and the stole second and then third with two outs before coming home on a passed ball giving Elizabethtown the first run of the game. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21669" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8273-2-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Elizabethtown increased it when Avery Simpson’s line drive single plated Avery Powers making it 2-0. The last six outs would be the toughest for Schmidt and the Lady Panthers, who had never been in this situation and the drama continued when with one out in the top of the seventh, </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="880" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8121-2-1024x880.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21670" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8121-2-1024x880.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8121-2-300x258.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8121-2-770x662.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8121-2-293x252.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8121-2-1400x1203.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8121-2.jpg 1498w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Mary Beth Overstreet was hit by a pitch and then Alexis Wheeler walked putting runners on first and second. With the tying runs on base, up came Jordan Browning, who then hit a liner that was speared by second baseman Emil Schmidt. The sophomore threw to first to double up the base runner for the game winning double play. It was Schmidt, who knocked in the game winner the previous day with a blooper which landed in the one spot that the Banshee outfielders couldn’t reach. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="896" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8516-2-1024x896.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21671" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8516-2-1024x896.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8516-2-300x262.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8516-2-770x674.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8516-2-293x256.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8516-2.jpg 1359w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>It made Spiers and the Lady Panthers a Region Champion and left Marion County wondering what you have to do to win this thing after reaching the Region Final the last two years. The loss was a tough pill for the Lady Knights and pitcher Emma Sullivan, who was the hard luck loser despite only allowing four-hits and two-runs after throwing 93-pitches. Both teams had opportunities to score early but were unable to do so which was pretty much the story of an exciting 2022 Region Tourney. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="658" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-1024x658.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21672" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-300x193.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-770x494.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-1536x986.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-2048x1315.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-293x188.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8543-2-1400x899.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Starting with the dramatic extra inning classic between Central Hardin and Green County to opening things up, then the following day’s action in which Marion County staged a comeback for the ages in a wild 16-13 win over Green County and Schmidt’s golden shot that finished off Bethlehem in a 2-1 win. Although Elizabethtown’s 27-wins during the season was a high-water mark, the team’s first ever Region trophy was far from easy. After breezing past a stubborn LaRue County team in the first round, Bethlehem gave them their best game and then Marion County held them for much of the game until Shaw’s heroics. It truly was a team effort and behind two well coached games by Schmidt against Samuel Smith and Erin Benton, there was little room for error. For Schmidt, the entire region run must have brought back memories of Nelson County&#8217;s (he was an assistant under Rogers then) magical 2007 Region Title when the Lady Cardinals won both the semi-final and championship game in their last at bat thanks to Kristen Zutterman.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="635" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-1024x635.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21673" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-1024x635.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-300x186.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-770x477.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-1536x952.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-2048x1269.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-293x182.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8558-2-1400x868.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p> Two straight playoff games, which came down to the last at bat was proof that Elizabethtown was deserving, and nowhere was that more evident than their senior class of Natalie Shaw, Hannah Riley and Lilli Schwemmer. Both Shaw and Riley became varsity players during the 2018 season and Schwemmer played a much bigger role this season. The three were the beginning of the team’s first major Region Tournament run (which started the same season both Shaw and Riley arrived) and have seen the win totals continue to grow since.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21674" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-300x200.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-770x513.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-360x240.jpg 360w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-370x247.jpg 370w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-293x195.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/0L8A8619-1400x933.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>For the three, it was “A Dream come true” said Riley, who had played summer ball during here developmental years to improve her game as had the other two and are about to take the team and their coach on a magical trip to Lexington, Ky for what hopefully will be a long and profitable stay.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/the-first-ones-always-the-hardest/">The First One’s Always the Hardest</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>Butler Advances to State Final</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/butler-advances-to-state-final/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=butler-advances-to-state-final</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Feist]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jun 2021 04:00:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=21102</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>For Butler, it was a matter of good pitching and great defense. For Green County, it wasn’t anything like May 21st. On that date, the Lady Dragons traveled to Butler and won rather convincingly, 9-1. In that win, Green County pounded out 15-hits and pitcher Kaitlyn Milby allowed just one run in a complete game win, while Butler struggled offensively and both pitchers Maria Peguero and Sadie Werner allowed five earned runs between them in the loss. My how things [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/butler-advances-to-state-final/">Butler Advances to State Final</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="722" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7583-2-1024x722.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21103" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7583-2-1024x722.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7583-2-300x212.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7583-2-770x543.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7583-2-293x207.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7583-2-1400x987.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7583-2.jpg 1510w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>For Butler, it was a matter of good pitching and great defense.</p>



<p>For Green County, it wasn’t anything like May 21<sup>st</sup>.</p>



<p>On that date, the Lady Dragons traveled to Butler and won rather convincingly, 9-1. In that win, Green County pounded out 15-hits and pitcher Kaitlyn Milby allowed just one run in a complete game win, while Butler struggled offensively and both pitchers Maria Peguero and Sadie Werner allowed five earned runs between them in the loss.</p>



<p>My how things change.</p>



<p>This time around things were very different as the Lady Bears pounded Milby and her replacement Tatum Caulk for 10-hits and 10-runs, while Peguero went the distance allowing just two runs in her seven innings of work and her defense held firm allowing just one error and made some great plays as the Lady Bears advanced to the KHSAA State Final with a 10-2 win.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="821" height="739" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7605-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21104" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7605-2.jpg 821w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7605-2-300x270.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7605-2-770x693.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7605-2-293x264.jpg 293w" sizes="(max-width: 821px) 100vw, 821px" /></figure>



<p>Some thought this would be the best game of the day as both teams and featured great come-from-behind performances during their Region and State Tournament runs. Unfortunately for the Lady Dragons it got out of control quickly although they did get on the scoreboard first.</p>



<p>After Haley Judd flied out, Madi Corbin and Mikka Thompson singled to put runners on first and second and Tanlee Hudgins singled over thr first base line scoring Corbin.</p>



<p>Butler came right back in the bottom of the first when Addisyn McNeil singled and Thompson reached on a fielders choice as McNeil was erased at second. Kyndal Tinnell homered to center to make the score 2-1. The Lady Bears added two more in the third on Tinnell’s double scoring McNeil and Emily Williams single scoring Thompson to make it 4-1.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="926" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2-1024x926.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21105" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2-1024x926.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2-300x271.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2-770x696.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2-1536x1389.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2-293x265.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2-1400x1266.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7690-2.jpg 1985w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Green County added a run in the top of the fourth when Madi Corbin single scored Lexi Beard, who had singled earlier to make it 4-2, but Butler added four more runs in the bottom of that inning after Tatum Caulk replaced Milby and faced eight batters in that inning. The biggest blow was Kennadi Thompson’s double to center with the bases loaded which scored three more runs making the score 8-2 and then Thompson picked up two more RBI’s in the bottom of the fifth when her single scored McNeil and Nina Camara to finish the scoring at 10-2.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="810" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2-1024x810.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21107" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2-1024x810.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2-300x237.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2-770x609.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2-1536x1215.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2-293x232.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2-1400x1107.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A8071-2.jpg 1607w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Just as damaging as Green County’s two errors which continued Butler scoring drives were the 10-base runners stranded. Six of which were in the first three innings when the game was in doubt. It was a reversal of the previous night when the Lady Dragons found ways to win against Warren East, who left 10-runners on base.</p>



<p>Green County’s season ends with a 32-11 season and the four seniors graduated will be missed. Meanwhile, Butler will play tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 for the State Championship against Daviess County.</p>



<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/butler-advances-to-state-final/">Butler Advances to State Final</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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		<title>FINAL FOUR BOUND</title>
		<link>https://stfanclub.com/final-four-bound/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=final-four-bound</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chuck Feist]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jun 2021 07:25:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Softball]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://stfanclub.com/?p=21092</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Green County Lady Dragons have trailed in four of their last five playoff games at some point and if we’ve learned anything from this is “Never Count Them Out.” The last team which Green County pulled a rabbit out of the hat against was Region 4 Champion Warren East in the KHSAA Softball Elite Eight and trailed after the five innings before coming back and when the score was tied at 3-3 after seven, they once again found another [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/final-four-bound/">FINAL FOUR BOUND</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="564" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2-1024x564.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21093" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2-1024x564.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2-300x165.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2-770x424.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2-1536x845.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2-293x161.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2-1400x771.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7343-2.jpg 1735w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The Green County Lady Dragons have trailed in four of their last five playoff games at some point and if we’ve learned anything from this is “Never Count Them Out.” The last team which Green County pulled a rabbit out of the hat against was Region 4 Champion Warren East in the KHSAA Softball Elite Eight and trailed after the five innings before coming back and when the score was tied at 3-3 after seven, they once again found another way to win.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="827" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2-1024x827.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21096" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2-1024x827.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2-300x242.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2-770x622.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2-1536x1241.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2-293x237.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2-1400x1131.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6325-2.jpg 1988w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Last Monday, it was Mikka Thompson, who came up with the winning RBI scoring Haley Judd against Henry County. This time, it was Tanlee Hudgins fresh back from a forced sitdown delivering a sacrific fly scoring Madi Corbin in the top of the eighth to break the tie and then sophomore rightfielder Tatum Caulk launched a deep fly ball which cleared the centerfield fence for her second home run of the season with two on to increase the Lady Dragons lead to 7-3. Of the Warren East pitcher Emma Markham’s 124-pitches, this one was the most damaging. Probably just as bad was the fact that the two plays might never have happened, but in both cases the Lady Raiders were unable to convert a popup by Hudgins and Caulk’s flyball in foul territory into outs thus preserving the tie.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="712" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-1024x712.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21097" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-300x209.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-770x536.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-1536x1069.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-2048x1425.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-293x204.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A6586-2-1400x974.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Green County has used the long ball all season as a weapon and once again they did today as pitcher Kaitlyn Milby, Hudgins and Caulk all had home runs which amounted to six of the Lady Dragons runs, while Warren East relied on speed and being opportunistic. Lydia Jones double scored two runs after Addison Lee reached on a fielders choice with one out and Madison Hymer reached on a fielding error in the bottom of the fourth to go up 2-1 after Milby homered in the top of the inning.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="721" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-1024x721.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21098" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-1024x721.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-300x211.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-770x542.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-1536x1082.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-2048x1442.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-293x206.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7293-2-1400x986.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Then after Hudgins two run shot put Green County up 3-2 in the top of the sixth, Warren East tied it up after Lee walked to open the inning and then eventually scored on Rylee Carter hit a sacrific fly to score Lee with one out.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="817" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-1024x817.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21099" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-1024x817.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-300x239.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-770x615.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-1536x1226.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-2048x1635.jpg 2048w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-293x234.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7298-2-1400x1118.jpg 1400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>After neither team scored in the seventh, the Lady Dragons immediately threatened when Corbin drew a leadoff walk, then Thompson singled putting runners at first and second with no outs. Milby walked to load the bases and then Hudgins hit a sacrific fly to score Corbin to make it 4-3 and then Caulk blasted a homer to make it 7-3.</p>



<p>The Lady Raiders were not finished as Hymer tripled to rightfield with one out and after Jones grounded out, Markham helped her cause by singling to score Hymer. With two outs, Harley Stringfield singled to move White (pinchrunner for Markham) to second. Then a single by Patterson scored White, but after Brasel was hit by a pitch, Maude Forrester popped out to end the game.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="747" src="https://stfanclub.comwp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2-1024x747.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-21100" srcset="https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2-1024x747.jpg 1024w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2-300x219.jpg 300w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2-770x562.jpg 770w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2-1536x1121.jpg 1536w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2-293x214.jpg 293w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2-1400x1022.jpg 1400w, https://stfanclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0E1A7487-2.jpg 1858w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Warren East actually outhit Green County 12-to-8 and left 10 baserunners while Green County had 8-hits and left only 4. Milby got the win raising her record to 11-5, while Markham’s fell to 24-9.</p>



<p>Green County has reached the KHSAA Softball Final Four for the first time in their history and will face a very determined Butler team today at 2:00.</p>



<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stfanclub.com/final-four-bound/">FINAL FOUR BOUND</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stfanclub.com">Sporting Times</a>.</p>
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