[MaroonMafia]

By MATT FULTZ — For The Independent

CANNONSBURG — Boyd County’s offense only managed to score two runs, but that proved to be enough, thanks to an outstanding pitching performance from freshman Caitlin Coburn.

Coburn went the distance, giving up just one run, scattering six hits while striking out six in the Lady Lions 2-1 victory over rival Ashland Tuesday night at Boyd County High School.

“I thought Caitlin did a wonderful job of mixing her pitches up, hitting her spots and keeping their hitters off balance,” said Boyd County coach Geoff Stewart. “Overall I have to give her an A for that performance. She pitched very well.”

The Kittens were able to grab the early advantage in the top of the third when Emily Preece hit a line drive single to left field that scored Katie Coran.

Kitten ace Katelyn Miller cruised through the first three innings allowing just one hit while striking out six, but in the bottom of the fourth the Lady Lions were able to string a couple of hits together to get on the board, snapping Miller’s 11-inning scoreless streak against the Lady Lions.

After Miller retired the first batter of the inning, Haley Cyrus singled to right field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Nicole Goins then lined to right center to plate Cyrus.

“Kudos to Nicole Goins. She came up with a big, big hit,” said Stewart. “That was a great hit and she hit behind the runner.”

Boyd County (10-7) would tally another run in the bottom of the fifth. After Kaitlin Brown singled, Taylor Wheeler laid down a sacrifice bunt but the Kittens misplayed it, allowing Brown to go to third and Wheeler to second. After Emily Stewart walked to load the bases, Sydney Jackson was hit by a pitch to score Brown with the go-ahead run.

The Kittens were nearly able to tie it in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Coran singled to right. The ball skipped past the right fielder and rolled to the fence allowing Coran to reach third. But Coburn was able to wiggle out of trouble when she got Miller to fly out to right-center field to end the game.

Ashland coach Dave Miller said it was the little things like a wild pitch here, an error there, and a missed foul ball the cost his team the victory.

“The little things in this game will win and lose you ballgames,” Miller said. “We made a couple little mistakes and it ended up costing us.”

The Kittens (10-4) stranded six baserunners, something that they have struggled with all season.

“We have to find a big hit this year,” said Miller. “It’s not one kid or another kid it’s throughout our lineup. We have to find someone who will step up and get us a big hit.”

Coran was the only batter to record more than one hit, going 2-for-3. Ashland’s Kathryn Jackson had the only extra-base hit, a double, in the fourth.



ASHLAND 001 000 0 — 1 6 1

BOYD COUNTY 000 110 — 2 4 1

Miller and Preece. Coburn and Roark. W-Coburn. L-Miller. 2B-Jackson (A).