Hart County Blasts LaRue County in District Matchup!
Funny how much difference a month can make.
On March 18th, Hart County went into their home opener against North Hardin and struggled mightily. Trying to replace five defensive positions not to mention the loss of a quality pitcher, who chose not to return this season, the Lady Raiders, who had made three straight Region Tournament appearances felt the wrath of a Lady Trojan team still stinging from an embarrassing District playoff loss to Elizabethtown and really took it to coach Tim Highbaugh’s team in a 8-4 loss. The defense struggled and the outfield appeared disorganized at times as Hart County committed 17-errors during the game. Afterwards, everyone pretty much was verbally evaluated by Highbaugh as the Lady Raiders knew that 2019 just might be a little different.
Fast forward to April 9th as Hart County traveled to LaRue County to take on one of the hottest teams in the Region in the Lady Hawks, who were coming off an 11-4 start including an 8-0 beginning. LaRue County was returning two veteran pitchers and were loaded with experience in most positions.
It was never a contest as the Lady Raiders jumped all over the Lady Hawks for five runs highlighted by starting pitcher Katie Collins’ fifth long ball of the season and they just kept pouring it on as nearly everyone in the Lady Raider batting lineup got a hit off LaRue County pitching highlighted by Collins’ going 4-for-4 at the plate (4-RBI’s), centerfielder Laynie Childress (who is near the top of KHSAA standings in walks) had 4-RBI’s, Desarea Bryant, Serenity Haskins and Alexa Horton all got two hits a piece. Tember Mabe, Kennedy Chaney and August Neal each got a hit.
In the circle with an early lead which continued to expand as the game continued, Collin’s was in control scattering 7-hits, allowing just 2-runs, 2-Walks and one K during an abbreviated six inning game which ended, 16-2.
“At first we had some young girls (Hart County starts an eighth-grader (August Neal) and a freshman (Rylie Blanchet) at short and second) and they were nervous and since then, we have talked to them and worked with them and they have gotten better as we all have. We are communicating better and we are all playing better as a team as a result. As you can see when we play our best this is what happens” said Collins.
On her fifth home run, Collins said it was a fastball by pitcher Emilee Cundiff, and seemed very sedated while talking about the coach Highbaugh allowing her to go to bat this season as she really didn’t have any at bats until 2019. ” Coach Highbaugh has been around a long time. In fact, he has coached our senior’s moms so when he tells us something we usually listen.”
Ironically, it was the Lady Hawks that committed several errors (6) and allowed nine of the Lady Raider runs (were unearned). Still, the LaRue County looked good during spurts as Emma Bell drove in both runs and Paige Gentry and Tara Goodwin each got a single. Even though both Cundiff and Sarah Calhoun were roughed up by Hart County hitting, the two have pitched well much of the season and there will be better games for the two.
Round one goes to Hart County (9-7), which is currently 2-0 in District with big games ahead with Caverna, a return match with LaRue County and two big ones with repeat District Champions Green County.
Meanwhile, the Lady Hawks (11-5) still have a return match at Mumfordville with Hart County and two with both Caverna and Green County.
So there should still be an interesting race between the four teams in the 18th District and LaRue County should pay attention to what happened to Hart County from early March to mid-April.
Because as the Lady Raiders have shown everyone, a lot can happen in a month.
