[Stardust]

VERSAILLES — Lafayette's wondrous softball season just keeps getting better.

The third-ranked Lady Generals topped Woodford County 9-1 Tuesday in a game that was called in the middle of the sixth inning because of lightning.

Lafayette, which beat Woodford 12-1 in March, improved its record to 23-1. Against Kentucky competition, the Generals are 16-0.

"It's been an awesome year, considering the level of competition in Kentucky and especially in the 11th Region has increased over the years," Coach Shane Weaver said. "Losing four seniors, five players, from last year's team that went to state and knowing where we are now, a great accomplishment for these kids. They've worked hard."

Lafayette, which tied for fifth in last year's State Tournament, is under Weaver's watch for the first time this season. He came from North Laurel, where he took the Jaguars to the state tourney in each of his five seasons.

Did he expect such results in his first season in Lexington?

"Honestly, my goals are always the same with the teams that I coach," he said. "But when you take into consideration that I had kids at North Laurel for five years, they learn your system.

"But the girls here have bought into something different. They've sold their souls to work at learning this process that I'm trying to throw at them, and they've reaped the benefits so far. And I can honestly say we've gotten better every game, and that's an awesome feeling right now."

Tuesday, Lafayette scored in five of six innings, including a 10th run in the top of the sixth that was washed out by the lightning.

Caroline Perkins went 4-for-4 and scored four times. Sarah Cooley went 3-for-4 and drove in three.

A 13-hit attack was plenty for right-hander Emily Kincaid, who scattered five hits.

"We worked a lot offensively and clearly that showed tonight," said Kincaid, a senior. "But I have a strong defense behind me and I'm confident with my pitching when I have them. ... I know they have my back."

Kincaid and fellow co-captain Brittany Sims, who leads off and plays shortstop, say this is the best team they've been a part of at Lafayette.

"I think this team is better as a team," Kincaid said. "In the past, we've been just a bunch of individual good players, but this year we're really good together."

The key to the success is, Sims said, "just how we've come together as a team. On any given night, we have different kids step up, so it's truly been a team effort."

Kincaid scored the first run Tuesday after drawing a two-out walk in the first inning. Perkins brought her home with a triple, and Abbie Bowling knocked in Perkins with a single.

A four-run fifth pushed the lead to 9-0.

Woodford's run in the bottom of the frame came courtesy of back-to-back infield errors followed by a pair of groundouts.

No worries for the Generals, though, who just keep on piling up the wins while getting along like the best friends they are.

"I love 'em to death. Great personalities. Not one ego on the team," Weaver said. "They do work together. ... They're very coachable. If they keep that up, who knows what the end might result in."

Lafayette 212 04—9 13 2

Woodford Co. 000 01—1 5 2

Kincaid and Mitchell; Shelton, McCoy (5) and D. Jamison. 2B — Cooley, Perkins, Sims (L); D. Jamison, Krueger (WC); 3B — Perkins, Mitchell (L). W — Kincaid. L — Shelton.

Records — Lafayette 23-1; Woodford 15-10.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/01/21720...rylink=cpy