YSE File Photo
Lilly Perry did a little bit of everything Thursday and was the Lyon County catalyst during a 3-1 softball win at Crittenden County High School. Perry, who hit an RBI single that gave her team a first-inning lead it wouldn’t relinquish, struck out seven and scattered four hits in a complete-game pitching victory in Marion.
The Lyons, who are now 2-1 in 5th District games in 2024, began the contest with consecutive singles by Lauren Davis and Piper Cotham, then went up 1-0 on Perry’s ground-ball single. They used a similar formula in the top of the fourth inning, as lead-off singles from Gracen Wynn and Jenna Coursey eventually led to an RBI bases-loaded walk by Olivia Moore and sacrifice fly from Davis to put the visitors ahead 3-0.
Perry (4-3) took a two-hit shutout into the sixth inning, when the Rockets finally got on the board. Andrea Federico hit her team-best third home run of the season — a solo shot — to pull CCHS within two runs of the Lyons. Following Hannah Jent’s two-out single, however, as Crittenden attempted to extend its comeback attempt, Perry struck out Aubre Conyer to end the inning.
Jaycee Champion singled with out in the seventh inning to try another rally, but Perry was there again to induce a pop out and ground out to end the contest and send Crittenden County to its fifth straight loss.
Perry and Coursey both finished with two-hit games for LCHS in the victory. Courtney Collins finished 1-for-3 with a double, giving her a team-best three for the season. The Rockets got hits from four different players. Crittenden sophomore Elliot Evans went 1-for-3 with one of three CCHS walks.
The Rockets’ Anna Boone (2-3) struck out three in her complete-game performance, but allowed eight hits, five walks and three runs during seven innings. Both pitchers finished with over 100 pitches thrown in the contest.
Lyon County (4-3) doesn’t play again until an April 5 matchup with Bryan Station in Lexington, while Crittenden County (3-5) is back on the field at noon Saturday for another 5th District pairing at Livingston Central. The Rockets are 0-2 in district play thus far.
