YSE File Photo
Livingston Central scored four runs in the first inning, added three more in the sixth, and hung on to pick up a substantial 8-5 home win Tuesday over Christian County. It was the Cardinals’ first win over the Colonels since the 2nd Region Tournament in 2014 and kept LCHS unbeaten (7-0) against regional opponents this season.
After County jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Karlee Crick’s RBI double in the game’s opening frame, Livingston (12-2) had seven of its first nine batters reach base and roared back with four runs to take the lead for good. Emersyn Ramage, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI and a walk, scored on a wild pitch to put the Cards up 4-1 early.
The Colonels, who matched LCHS with an identical seven hits and two errors, fought back in the top of the third inning, when Jada Miller singled and Avery Adcock and Saniya Shields reached on Cardinal miscues, all leading to runs. Gracie Harned later pulled CCHS within 5-4 on a sacrifice fly, but the Cols would get no closer on the road.
Madeline Norton allowed a two-out, RBI triple to Harned in the seventh inning. Besides that, however, the senior relief pitcher struck out six and scattered three hits during a four-inning save. Hadley Hargrove (9-1) continued her solid season with four strikeouts, four hits and one earned run in four innings to get the win.
Harned started in the circle for Christian County but exited before retiring a batter. She walked one and allowed two runs in her brief appearance. Alyssa Petterson, making her second appearance of the year, pitched the remainder of the game, walking five and striking out one in six innings.
The Colonel offense was led by Shields (0-for-2, three runs, stolen base, walk), Harned (two RBI), Miller (1-for-3, run) and Jada Turner (2-for-3, double). Livingston was paced at the plate by Ramage (2-for-3, three runs), Victoria Harris (2-for-3, three RBI), and Norton (2-for-2, three runs, two stolen bases).
Christian County (9-7) will play its next two games on the road, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at Russellville and continuing at the same time Friday at Caldwell County.
