On a night when they honored seniors Shelby Harbour and Makenzie Carter, the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers claimed their second victory of the season over University Heights Academy with a 21-6 result on Monday night. The Lady Tigers have won two of three to move to 6-15 on the year, 4-1 in the 8th District, while the Lady Blazers slip to 1-6, 1-3 in district play.
The Lady Tigers took an early lead with 6 runs in the opening inning, highlighted by an RBI double by junior Nadia Clayton and a single from 8th grader Morgan Hodge that brought home 2. Harbour celebrated her senior night with an inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the second, stretching the lead to 8-0.
The Lady Blazers responded with 4 runs in the top of the third, with a double by 8th grader Regan Pollard scoring junior Rachael Snyder and and 7th grader Mallory Ladd. Hopkinsville took its first double-digit lead in the bottom of the frame, posting 6 runs for a score of 14-4. Senior Makenzie Carter singled-in the first run, followed by an RBI triple from sophomore Lauren Hodge. Harbour and junior Nadia Clayton doubled on consecutive at-bats, each knocking-in a run.
UHA got 2 back in the top of the fourth, with junior Anna Fitzpatrick doubling to bring home 7th grader Raleigh Fitzpatrick. However, the Lady Tigers put-up 8 in their half of the inning, triggering the 15-run rule. Carter started it with an RBI single, followed by a 3-run inside-the-park home run by Lauren Hodge. Clayton brought in a run with her third double of the night, with a 2-run single from Morgan Hodge ending the game at 21-6.
Lauren Hodge earned the win, pitching all 4.0 innings while allowing 6 runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and four walks. She also had two hits and 4 RBI, with Morgan Hodge also knocking-in 4 while going 3-3 at the plate. Clayton had three hits and Carter had two, with both collecting 3 RBI. Harbour finished 2-3 and knocked-in 2 and 7th grader Shaniya Straight went 1-1.
Pollard took the loss for the Lady Blazers, going 3.0 innings while surrendering 21 runs, 19 earned, on thirteen hits with eight walks and a strikeout. She also led the team with 2 RBI, going 1-3 at the plate. Anna Fitzpatrick finished 3-3 with an RBI, and senior Lydia Humphries, Ladd, Snyder, and Raleigh Fitzpatrick each had a hit.
Hopkinsville will be back on its home field on Friday, hosting the 12-9 Lyon County Lady Lyons. UHA has a week off before they travel to Cadiz to face the Trigg County Lady Wildcats (14-7).
