The defending All A Classic state champions are returning to Owensboro.
The Lyon County Lady Lyons pounded out 17 base hits on Tuesday while turning back Caldwell County 14-4 in five innings in the 2nd Region championship contest in Smithland.
Caldwell (8-5) grabbed an early 2-0 lead thanks to Brylee Butts’ two-run home run in the top of the first inning.
But Lyon (7-6) erased that deficit with three runs in the bottom of the first and never trailed again.
Emma West’s two-run double put Lyon up 3-2 after one inning.
Hadlie Butler doubled home a run as part of a four-run second inning that gave the Lady Lyons a 7-2 lead. Courtney Collins and Ryan Graham each had RBI singles in the frame.
Adley Lewis homered for Caldwell in the top of the third to make it 7-3.
But Lyon countered with five runs in the bottom of the frame to open up a 12-3 advantage. Lilly Perry had a two-run single, then Jenna Coursey slammed a three-run homer as the Lady Lyons grabbed control of the contest.
Caldwell’s final run came in the top of the fourth on an RBI groundout by A.J. Hollowell.
Lyon finished the game in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run home run by Courtney Collins, ending the contest on the 10-run mercy rule.
Collins finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Lauren Davis was 3-for-3 and scored twice while Coursey went 2-for-3, drove in three and scored two runs.
West and Butler were both 2-for-3 and knocked in two. Graham went 2-for-3 with one RBI and Perry was 2-for-2 and knocked in three.
Perry picked up the win in the pitching circle, allowing three earned runs on five base hits. She struck out three and walked three.
Caldwell was limited to just five base hits in the contest.
Lyon will defend its All A state title April 30-May 1 in Owensboro.
Next up for the Lady Lyons is a home date against Union County on Thursday.
The Lady Tigers will play again on Thursday when they visit 7th District foe Madisonville-North Hopkins.
