The 15th Region softball tournament title was on the line at Massey Energy Field as two-time defending champion Johnson Central battled the Pikeville Lady Panthers on Wednesday night.
The Lady Eagles scored three runs in the top of the third inning to take the lead for good and went on to knock off the Lady Panthers, 8-2, making it a three-peat.
Randi Delong tripled in a pair of runs and winning pitcher Maddie Vaughn singled twice and batted in two as Johnson Central improved to 25-13.
Kendal Hall had four hits, including a pair of doubles, scored twice and added an RBI while Kaleigh Welch singled in a pair of runs.
Clara Blair doubled, singled, and scored two runs while driving in one. Mayson Delong added three hits.
Losing pitcher Emily Ford walked and scored as Pikeville finished the season at 23-13. Olivia Hall singled and scored.
Kelcie Adams added a pair of hits and Ginna Jones singled and walked.
It was the final game for four Pikeville seniors – Hannah Akers, Ford, Adams, and Hall.
The Lady Eagles will open state tournament play at 11 am on Saturday against top-ranked Louisville Ballard in Lexington.
At Goody
(15th Region tournament championship)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
JC (25-13)….013 400 0 – 8-14-3
PK (23-13)……100 001 0 – 2- 6-1
Pitching:
WP – Maddie Vaughn
LP – Emily Ford
Hitting: Randi Delong 3b, 1r, 2 RBI; Maddie Vaughn 2-1b, 2 RBI; Kendal Hall 2-2b, 2-1b, 2r, 1 RBI; Kaleigh Welch 1b, 2 RBI; Clara Blair 2b, 1b, 2r, 1 RBI; Mayson Delong 3-1b, Johnson Central; Emily Ford bb, 1r; Olivia Hall 1b, 1r; Kelcie Adams 2-1b; Ginna Jones 1b, bb, Pikeville.