YSE File Photo
Four different Union County High School softball players accounted for at least three RBIs each and the Bravettes used a key nine-run fifth inning to overcome Caldwell County by an eye-popping score of 16-14 on Monday in Morganfield.
The Bravettes trailed the Tigers 12-7 after 4 1/2 innings, and were outhit 19-18 overall by CCHS in the game, but rallied with five two-runs in the aforementioned bottom of the fifth to come from behind and avenge a March 22 loss to Caldwell.
During their two matchups thus far in 2024, UCHS and CCHS have combined for 65 hits and 47 runs.
In their latest tilt, the Tigers were the aggressor early, as Alexis Wood used her fourth home run of the season — this time a two-out, three-run shot — to abruptly put her team ahead 4-0 in the first inning. It was her lone hit of the game, but Wood finished with a team-best four RBI in defeat.
Sophomore Miley Mosley, who went 4-for-5 for Union County, pulled the Bravettes within 4-2 of Caldwell with a two-out, two-run triple, capping a tone-setting first inning. UCHS has hit 17 triples this season, which is the second most of any team in the KHSAA.
Audrey Staley also had a monster night at the plate. The Union County sophomore went 4-for-5 with five RBI, including a two-out, two-run single that put the Bravettes up 7-4 in the bottom of the third. That lead, however, wouldn’t last long.
Maci Tyler ripped an RBI single to center field in the top of the fourth to knot the game at 7-all. Then Staley cleared the bases in the fifth with a three-run double to put Caldwell back on top 10-7. The Tigers proceeded to score twice more that inning to take a 12-7 advantage. That’s when the Bravettes answered in convincing fashion.
RBI singles from Staley and Ashlynn Hargrove pulled UCHS within 12-9 early in the fifth inning. Sydney Thomas (RBI single) and Mosley (RBI double) then made it 12-10 a couple batters later. Using more timely, two-out hitting, the Bravettes struck again in the clutch, as Brylee Jackson’s two-run single to left gave her team a 13-12 advantage and a lead they would not relinquish.
Staley and Hargrove, who combined to go 7-for-10 with eight RBI as the 1-2 batters in the Union County lineup, each had run-scoring hits to round out the massive offensive output in the fifth. Caldwell County went down in order in the sixth but tried to rally in the final frame when Wood’s fly ball scored a pair on the Bravettes’ two-run error. Jackson (3-3), who pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, would induce a flyball out, however, to end the slugfest.
Union County starter Mosley and Caldwell County starter Wood had nearly identical appearances in the circle. Each went 4 1/3 innings and each allowed 11 runs on double-digit hits. Mosley finished with four strikeouts and two walks; Wood fanned two and issued three walks. Jackie Farmer (4-4) took the loss for the Tigers, allowing six hits and five runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief.
Caldwell County (11-10), which has now dropped six of its last seven games overall, was led emphatically by the top of its order at Union County. Brylee Butts, Alicia Stanley, Adley Lewis and Tyler — the Tigers’ Nos. 1-4 hitters in the lineup, combined for 11 of the 19 CCHS hits and nine of its runs.
Stanley had a double and three RBI. Nyla Sykes finished 4-for-5 with a run scored and stole one of Caldwell’s five bases that were swiped. Wood’s HR was the 27th of the year for CCHS as a team. That’s good for fifth most in Kentucky in 2024.
Union County (14-11) has now won three in a row and five of its last six games. The Bravettes will try to keep their bats hot during a 6 p.m. Tuesday meeting at Madisonville-North Hopkins. Caldwell is scheduled to host Trigg County at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
