Manor's game-winner gives Ladycats back-to-back regional title

The feeling was worth the wait. 

 Not just the over 90 minute delay as the grounds crew worked diligently to get the field at Harrison County High School ready so the Ladycats and Fillies could battle it out in what would turn out to be what many are already calling "the greatest softball game they've ever seen," following torrential rains that soaked the area.

  But that feeling of making history all over again. Just like in the spring of 2019, which feels much longer than two years ago when you factor in a worldwide pandemic that robbed the team of its entire 2020 season. Plus, include multiple coaching changes that have now taken place that resulted in different leadership tactics that have all been directed at accomplishing the same goal.

  Pendleton County took on Harrison County for the right to be called 10th region champion and secure their place in the 2021 state tournament, to be held in Lexington. It would be the fourth showdown this season as the Ladycats looked to beat the Fillies for the first time on their home turf. In an eight-inning instant classic that featured more twists and turns than your favorite rollercoaster at Kings Island, it would ultimately be decided by a clutch at-bat from Pendleton County senior third baseman Sydney Manor, who lined a pitch past the infield into centerfield that scored sophomore pitcher Kayley Bruener from second base to give her team a thrilling 7-6 victory.

  As Bruener crossed home plate she was mobbed by her teammates and a thunderous roar took over the entire ballpark courtesy of the Pendleton County fanbase, which turned out in droves to watch their team make history once again.

 They had all just witnessed an eight round heavyweight fight that undisputedly featured the two best teams from the region. Neither club deserved to lose but one had to.

  "I just stepped up there and was ready to do my part. I was due," Manor said following her championship winning swing. "This is a lot different than it was two years ago and I think it even feels better now, just because of what we had to do to win this game and how hard we had to fight," she added.

  Interim head coach Jessica Verst has been on the job for less than 10 days, and all she's done is guide this talented squad to three postseason wins. There has been little time to prepare and according to her its been all about getting back to the basics.

 "The biggest thing for myself and the rest of this coaching staff over the past couple of weeks is just keeping these girls focused on doing what we know they can do. Playing together as one and taking it one game at a time," she explained.

  After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, Pendleton County struck for three runs in the bottom of the third thanks to a key two-run double by junior shortstop Raegan Carlisle. She would then score the third run of the frame after a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Manor allowed her to reach home plate from second base. But Harrison County fought right back in the top of the fourth, as they capitalized on a pair of Ladycat fielding errors to put three runs across the plate and retake the lead 4-3.

  In the bottom of the fourth, sophomore first baseman Kylie Richardson singled and would eventually score to tie the game after Bruener drove her in with an RBI single.  The Fillies would move ahead in the top of the sixth with two runs scored to go up 6-4. In the bottom part of the inning the Ladycats quickly went to work as eighth grade centerfielder Logan Cooper singled and that set the stage for Bruener to tie things up once again with the shot heard 'round Cynthiana as she clubbed a towering two-run homer to deep left field that was undoubtedly the biggest swing of her already decorated career.

  As the game moved to the seventh inning even more dramatics occurred. Harrison County would load the bases with no outs and had a firm grip on the outcome in their hands, but with the pressure ratcheted up as tight as it could seemingly be, Bruener buckled down inside the pitcher's circle and escaped the jam unscathed as she retired the next three batters she faced to take the tied contest to the bottom of the seventh inning. Freshman catcher Maddy Musk lead off the Ladycat attack with a triple. But Pendleton County would not be able to cash in as pinch runner Reagan Anderson (running for Musk) for be thrown out at a close play at home plate following a single by eighth grade second baseman Madison Verst. A Kylie Richardson single would then be followed up by back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat and send the game to extra innings.

  After the Fillies went down in the top of the eighth, the Ladycats rose to the occasion and claimed their title. Bruener and Carlisle reached on consecutive singles and with one out Manor delivered the game-winning hit for Pendleton County.

They become the first 10th Region team to go back-to-back since Montgomery County did it in 2003 and 2004.

  The Ladycats march on to Lexington with a June 11 date with 9th Region champion Boone County. First pitch is scheduled for 8pm at John Cropp Stadium. The two clubs split a pair of games during the regular season.

  Now battle-tested and more galvanized than ever, the Ladycats now set their sights on an even bigger prize.