ROUND THE BASES: Lady Warriors complete improbable rally to win district crown

The Southwestern Lady Warriors found themselves in an uncomfortable position on Wednesday against the hosting Wayne County Lady Cardinals, down 7-1 after the first two and a half innings with a eighth-straight (not counting the 2020 season due to COVID) 48th District title on the line. However, after trimming that deficit to three runs heading into the fourth, the Warriors absolutely exploded at the plate to the tune of 14 runs, eventually earning a run-rule victory over the Cards by a final score of 18-7 in five innings.

Abigail Whitescarver had a fantastic day at the plate, batting in six RBI’s with a home run, with Macie Gwin adding three RBI’s and a home run as well. Kylie Dalton also added three RBI’s, with Chloe Carroll, Brynn Troxell and Arabella Lowery each chipping in two RBI’s apiece. Zoie Lowery added one hit, with Carroll adding a stolen base. Jayla Singleton had the start on the mound, going three and one-third innings while allowing seven runs (two earned) on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Whitescarver earned the win in relief, pitching the final one and two-third innings while allowing no runs on no hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Southwestern wins the 48th District title and will host the 12th Region Softball Tournament starting next week.

Lady Maroons down Rockcastle for district championship

The Pulaski County Lady Maroons may have had their down moments this season, but it is clearly a team that still believes in themselves. That rang true on Wednesday evening, as they were able to complete a comeback over the number one seed in the 47th District in the Rockcastle County Lady Rockets to take a 8-7 victory, earning their second-straight district crown and third in the past four years. Bella Ellis drilled another home run in the victory.

Pulaski will head into next week’s regional tournament with a record of 13-16 and will await their first round opponent.

Jumpers earn revenge against Pulaski to claim district title

In both games played in the regular season between the two rivals, Pulaski emerged victorious in both contests. In a game that featured great pitching by both sides, the Jumpers were able to enact a bit of revenge over the Maroons, prevailing by a final score of 3-1 to claim their fourth-straight 47th District championship.

Connor Vanderploeg and Isaiah Lewis each had one RBI to help lead the Jumpers, with Raygan New, Connor Roberts and Caynon Sizemore each adding one hit. Griffin Loy earned the win on the mound, going six and two-third innings while allowing just one run (zero earned) on two hits with one walk and 11 strikeouts. Lewis earned the save, pitching the final third of an inning.

Skylar Stringer had the lone RBI for the Maroons, with Ben Gaskin also adding a hit and both Chase Farmer and Will Adams adding a stolen base apiece. Dawson Branscum earned the loss on the mound, going all seven innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with two strikeouts.

Somerset improves to 15-17 and Pulaski falls to 18-8 for the season. Both teams will now move on to next week’s 12th Region Tournament.

Warriors earn first district title in six seasons

The Southwestern Warriors were on the road at Wayne County on Wednesday night, with a 48th District title waiting for the best team on the baseball diamond at the end of the night. Turns out, for the first time in six seasons, that team was the Southwestern Warriors, as they used a five-run fifth inning to push themselves to an 8-4 victory over the Cardinals.

Jackson Couch led the way with two RBI’s, while Jayce Gager, Jonah Brock, Chandler Taylor, Michael Miller, Jayden Taylor and Benjamin Stewart all added one RBI apiece. Pierce Jasper added two hits, Jonas Gallagher added one hit and Miller chipped in a stolen base. Miller started the game on the mound and went two innings, allowing one one (zero earned) on no hits with two walks. Gager pitched one inning in relief, allowing two runs on one hit with four walks and two strikeouts. Gallagher earned the win in relief, pitching four innings while allowing one run on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Southwestern improves to 15-16 with the victory and will move on to next week’s regional tournament.