Pikeville took a three-run lead over Shelby Valley in the early innings and the Lady Panthers held on for a thrilling 3-2 win in the championship game played at the Reservation on Tuesday night.
The Lady Panthers beat the Bat Kats for the fourth time this season, including a shutout win in the All A Classic semifinals, and improved to 27-10, winning a fifth straight title.
Winning pitcher Emily Ford scattered five hits and allowed two unearned runs while striking out 13 and walking just one.
Losing pitcher Lily Napier allowed eight hits and three runs, all earned. She struck out three and walked four.
Olivia Hall singled and drove in the game’s first two runs in the opening inning, scoring Kelcie Adams and Cassidy Slater. Adams then singled in Molly Coleman, who had tripled, in the second to push the lead to 3-0.
Shelby Valley closed to within one run in the top of the sixth inning as Kyra Looney drove Katelyn Thompson in with a single and then she scored as well in the inning.
Both teams now advance to the 15th Region tournament. Tournament pairings will be announced on Thursday.
At East Ridge
(Championship)
SCORE BY INNINGS: R-H-E
SV (12-19)……000 002 0 – 2-5-1
PK (27-10)……210 000 x – 3-8-1
Pitching:
WP – Emily Ford
LP – Lily Napier
Hitting: Kyra Looney 2-1b, 1r, 2 RBI; Katelyn Thompson 1r, Shelby Valley; Molly Coleman 3b, 1r; Kelcie Adams 2-1b, bb, 1r, 1 RBI; Olivia Hall 1b, 2 RBI; Cassidy Slater bb, 1r, Pikeville.