The Covington Lady Cougars incredible softball season came to an end on Monday following the teams 3-0 loss to the Auburn Eagles in the regional semifinals.
After defeating Parry McCluer twice to win the outright Pioneer District regular season and tournament championship, the Lady Cougars went on to the Class C regional quarterfinals where they defeated George Wythe Maroons 7-1.
In the quarterfinals, the Lady Cougars were backed by Kayla Bartley who had a two-run home run to go along with three total RBI’s in their victory.
The Maroons outhit the Lady Cougars, however, the Maroons downfall was walks. The team walked eight in the loss.
The Lady Cougars could only enjoy the teams victory for so long as they were back out on the field hosting the Eagles in the semifinals on Monday in what was a pitchers dual.
Kirsten Fleet (W, 0-for-2), pitched a gem for the Eagles in their semifinal victory over the Lady Cougars. Fleet pitched a one-hit complete game shutout where she only walked one batter and struck out 16. At one point, Fleet, struck out six straight batters.
On the side, Bartley (L, 0-for-3), was just as good as Fleet was on the mound. Bartley, also pitched a complete game where she surrendered three runs (one earned) on just two hits while walking two and struck out 10.
The Lady Cougars offense just could not solve Fleet who was phenomenal on the mound. The team batted 1-for-22 in their semifinal loss. Outside of Bartley’s home run in the teams win in the quarterfinal, the offense struggled at the plate as well where they were 3-for-21.
Gabby Marshall (1-for-2), had the lone hit for the Lady Cougars.
The Eagles scored the games first run in the fourth inning off of a fielder’s choice. After Audrey Underwood had a leadoff infield single, she would steal second, and made it to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Hannah Shepherd, would bring Underwood in to score on a fielder’s choice groundout.
In the sixth inning, the Lady Cougars had a chance to tie the game. Following Marshall’s leadoff single, she would be pitch ran by Lauren Bragg (0-for-0). Fleet would settle down by striking out the next three batters to get out of the inning. Bragg, did get into scoring position after stealing second base with two outs.
The Eagles would add a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning to take a 3-0 lead. The inning was highlighted by Underwood’s two-run double.
The Lady Cougars season closed out their great season at 15-5 that went along with the school programs first back to back district titles.
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