Lady Maroons continue run with strong victory over West Jessamine
For a few innings on Thursday, it looked like the West Jessamine Colts had complete control against the Pulaski County Lady Maroons and were heading towards a second victory in their third game against each other. That was, until, a junior came up huge with a blast in the third that flipped the lead in favor of Pulaski. Ryann Sowder, and that's two n's, made sure that the crowd at the War Path remembered her name with a blast that gave the Maroons the lead for good as they were able to advance to the regional finals with a 4-2 win.
Pulaski struggled with their hitting early on, with the Colts' pitching giving the bats of the Maroons fits. With the Colts able to score two runs rather quickly in the top of the first inning, it looked like the Maroons would be going home in the semifinals.
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A pitching swap in the top of the third for the Maroons, with Maggie Gregory coming in for Bella Ellis, seemed to change the momentum in the contest. After a scoreless top of the frame, Ellis was able to hit an RBI to cut the Colts' lead in half. Then, Sowder hit a rocket over the fence in center for a two-run home run, flipping the lead to the Maroons 3-2.
Gregory continued to cruise on the mound as the innings went by, with Ellis able to claim another RBI in the bottom of the fifth to increase the Maroons' lead up to 4-2. It came all the way to the top of the seventh with the same score, but the Colts couldn't be counted out just yet. With two runners on base and what would be the go-ahead run coming up to bat, a ground ball was hit to who else but Sowder at third base, with the junior throwing to Ellis at third to record the final out. The players exploded in celebration as they clinched their second-straight regional championship appearance with a 4-2 victory.
Ellis and Sowder each had two RBI's to help lead the Maroons in the win, with Novaleigh Baker adding two hits and the trio of Claire Hamilton, Rilee Ross and Shelbie Sellers each adding one hit apiece. Ellis went two innings in her start on the mound, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Gregory earned the win in relief, allowing no runs on three hits with two walks and one strikeout.
Pulaski improves to 15-16 and will once again play for the 12th Region Championship. The Lady Maroons will take on Boyle County in the title game on Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
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