Christian County Pushes Henderson to the Brink But Falls 2-1 in Softball Regional Final

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The Christian County Lady Colonels had Henderson County right where they wanted them. The southern Lady Colonels trailed the fourth-ranked team in the KHSAA RPI rankings 2-1 in the top of the seventh but had the bases loaded with the tying run on third base in the form of Pickle Winkler and the go-ahead run on second base with only one out.

Not only that, but they had chased arguably one of the best pitchers in the 2nd Region from the game. After struggling with her control throughout the game, Kelsie Hill had walked Pickle Winkler and Riley Hancock with one out and was lifted for another of the region’s best pitchers in Anna Kemp.

Kemp promptly walked Avery Adcock and the Lady Colonels from the south appeared ready to pull off the upset with the bases loaded, one out, and two big bats headed to the plate. Christian County had played Henderson County to the brink and now appeared ready to send the favorites over the cliff.

However, championship teams, when they have their backs to the wall, usually find a way to save the game when trouble appears at its deepest. And give the Henderson County Lady Colonels their due, when push came to shove, the team that has lost only one game to a Kentucky team all season long, found that inner reserve to save the day.

With their season on the line, Anna Kemp struck out Karlee Crick, and then struck out Gracie Harned on a 3-2 pitch that had she missed the strike zone, would have tied the game, and the northern Lady Colonels survived to advance to Lexington for the state softball tournament.

As you would expect, being so close to making a state tournament trip, as the Henderson players celebrated on their home field, the tears began to flow freely for the Lady Colonels, who were “oh so close” to their biggest win in several seasons.

The final inning finished off a two-inning stretch where Christian County had the game in front of them for the taking. The seventh inning marked the second inning in a row to end the game where Christian County would have the bases loaded with one out and could push no runs across against the stingy Henderson pitching.

In the sixth inning, Christian County got a leadoff walk to Riley Hancock, followed by a one-out single, the only hit of the game, off the bat of Karlee Crick. The Lady Colonels would then score on a Henderson error to trim the lead to 2-1. That was followed up by a LaiLai McGregor walk to load the bases with just one out.

But, Kelsie Hill came up with a strikeout and induced a ground out to shut the door on the threat.

Henderson had taken the lead early in the game. Anna Willett drove in Kaytlan Kemp with a one-out single to put Henderson up 1-0.

What could have ended up being a big moment in the game came about as the result of a stoppage of play just prior to the bottom of the fourth inning. The home plate umpire fell ill before the start of the inning and had to be replaced leading to a noteworthy delay in the game. Christian County pitcher Riley Hancock had been rolling along and you had to wonder if the stoppage might affect her rhythm.

After play resumed, the first batter in the bottom of the fourth, Henderson County’s Taylor Troutman blasted a shot over the centerfield bleachers and scored what would turn out to be the winning run. Henderson would threaten to add more in the inning, but as she did all game long, Riley Hancock was able to buckle down and get out of a jam to keep her team in the game and give them a shot, a really good shot to pull off the upset.

Karlee Crick finished the game 1-4 with the Lady Colonels’ only hit. Riley Hancock was 0-1 but walked three times in the game.

Missed opportunities loomed big for Christian County as the Lady Colonels left 10 runners on base, including six in the final two innings.

Anna Willett and Juliana Hibbs had two hits each for Henderson County.

In the circle, Riley Hancock went the distance for Christian County, giving up two runs on seven hits, striking out three, and walking four.

For Henderson County, Kelsie Hill went 6 1/3-innings, giving up one unearned run, striking out ten, but walking seven. Anna Kemp went the last two-thirds of an inning to get the save.

Christian County finishes the season at 27-10.

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