By: Kayley Bruener
The Pendleton County Ladycats put together an impressive stretch of softball this past week, going 4–1 across five games and showcasing both explosive offense and dominant pitching.
The week began on April 6, with a statement win on the road at Scott High School, where the Ladycats’ bats erupted for 17 hits in a 15–5 victory. Kinly Cooper led the charge with a four‑hit performance, while Hannah Spaulding and Mylie Honnert added multiple hits of their own. Pendleton scored in five different innings, including a six‑run third and a four‑run fourth, and Spaulding closed the game with 4.1 scoreless innings and eight strikeouts.
The momentum carried into the next day when Pendleton traveled to Simon Kenton and battled through eight innings to secure a hard‑fought 4–1 win. Spaulding was brilliant in the circle, throwing all eight innings while allowing just three hits and striking out thirteen without issuing a walk. The Ladycats broke the tie in the top of the eighth with a three‑run surge, highlighted by timely hitting from Mylie Honnert, Jessa Gerhardstein, and a clutch two‑RBI knock from Rylan Anderson.
Pendleton’s only setback of the week came on April 9, in a 4–0 loss at George Rogers Clark. Despite being held to three hits, the Ladycats stayed competitive behind another strong outing from Spaulding, who allowed only two earned runs and struck out four. Cooper, Honnert, and Gerhardstein each recorded hits, but the Ladycats couldn’t break through against GRC’s standout pitching.
The team bounced back in dominant fashion on April 11, when Pendleton hosted a home triangle and swept both opponents with commanding performances. In the first game, the Ladycats shut out Bethel 7–0 behind a masterful complete‑game two‑hitter from Spaulding, who struck out fourteen and walked none. Cooper went 3‑for‑4 with three RBIs, and Rylie Browning added two hits as Pendleton controlled the game from start to finish. The momentum carried into the second matchup of the day, where the Ladycats rolled to an 11–1 win over Boone County. Pendleton’s offense stayed hot with fourteen hits, including multi‑hit games from Gerhardstein and Mullins, while Anderson drove in three runs. The Ladycats’ pitching and defense kept Boone County off balance throughout the game, allowing just one run in six innings.
With a strong week behind them and confidence building, the Ladycats now turn their attention to another busy slate ahead. They'll begin with a home doubleheader against Robertson County followed by a Tuesday afternoon home matchup against Campbell County at 5 p.m. On April 16, Pendleton County travels to Highlands for a 5:30 start, and they’ll wrap up the week on April 18 with a 2 p.m. road game at Scott County.