Twice during the regular season, Hancock County softball fell to Meade County, being outscored 19-1 over the two games. Yet, when it mattered most int he 11th District Championship game, the Lady Hornets came out on top – shutting out their division rival 1-0 to win their fourth district title in six years.
“This was a great team win,” Hancock County Head Coach Dwayne Wroe said. “I have a lot of respect for Meade County; they are a great program. We just hung around and got a key hit at the end. Bella Bryant pitched a great game, and my pitching coach, Taylor Morris, called a great game. Our defense was outstanding all the way around.”
In a battle of pitchers, Bella Bryant came out on top, stifling the Lady Wave to a tune of seven shutout innings, allowing five total baserunners and striking out four. After pitching around a leadoff double in the bottom of the first, she settled in and cruised until the sixth inning.
The Lady Wave led off the inning with a single and a walk, but a pair of fielders’ choices and a flyout ended their best scoring threat of the night.
Scoreless entering the top of the seventh, Gracie Gaynor worked a one-out and was subsequently swapped out for a courtesy runner in Lani Keller. With two outs, Keller scurried home to score the game-winning run after a double by Bryant.
“This was just a great win for our program, and this marks our fourth 11th District Championship over the past six years,” Wroe said. “I am very proud of the girls.”
Hancock County now awaits its opponent in the 3rd Region Tournament, which will be revealed at Saturday’s 3rd Region draw show.
