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Kayley
It was a dominant showing in all facets of the game for the Pendleton County Ladycats as they defeated Boone County 8-2 to advance to the final eight in state tournament play at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington on June 13.
The Ladycats offense struck early and often as they put runs across the plate in the first four innings to gain firm control of the contest. The team totaled 12 hits overall and move into face Daviess County on June 18.
Pendleton County had squared off against Boone County already twice this season but the one caveat was that the Ladycats had not pitched sophomore star Kayley Bruener in either matchup. Now with everything on the line, the Ladycats unleashed their all-region performer before a packed crowd that was heavily clad in red and black. Bruener was dominant in her own right as she held the Lady Rebels hitless through the first three innings and without a run until the fifth.
Pendleton County got a balanced effort on offense as senior Sydney Manor continued her clutch hitting hot streak by doubling in two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Bruener added an RBI in the third to push the Ladycats lead to 3-0.
In the bottom of the third, junior shortstop Raegan Carlisle doubled and a successful sacrifice bunt by Manor allowed Carlisle to use her blazing speed to score the team’s fourth run from second base. Pendleton County went onto put the game out of reach as they posted four more runs in the fourth inning highlighted by a Bruener double, a huge two-run RBI double by senior Olivia Verst and a two-run single by catcher Maddy Musk to balloon the lead to 8-0.
Boone County added a run each in the fifth and sixth inning but the night belonged to Pendleton County as they move to the round of eight for just the second time in program history.
“This was a great overall win for us. The team came out ready from the very beginning and we were very focused,” said interim head coach Jessica Verst.
As was the case earlier in the week, the Ladycats had to wait out a lengthy rain delay courtesy of Mother Nature. The game was originally scheduled to take place on June 12 but heavy rains throughout central Kentucky pushed the matchup back one day. The team then prepared for a late afternoon start time only to see more showers arrive and delay the start of the game by nearly three hours. Nonetheless, the Ladycats seem to do their best work under the lights.
Another major storyline surrounding the team in recent days was the aftermath of car accident that left sophomore first baseman Kylie Richardson with serious injuries that abruptly ended her season. Richardson, along with her loved ones were among those in attendance and the team was extra motivated to earn a victory for their fallen teammate.
“The girls were even more determined to win this game for Kylie,” Coach Verst added. Before the game got underway, a pair of Ladycat players carried Richardson’s jersey out onto the field with them during player introductions, further showing that these young ladies act and care for one another more resembling of sisters rather than just teammates.
The Ladycats now look to move deeper into postseason play than they did during their magical run from two years ago. A victory in the next round will guarantee that.