Published: April 24, 2008 09:05 pm         

Lady Jets squeak by Kingston 3-2

The Cumberland County High School Lady Jets softball team scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Kingston Lady Jackets 3-2 in a non-district contest on senior day.

With one out, Lindsey Thompson singled, Lacie McCartney doubled and Rachel Rich walked to load the bases. Lindsey Thompson was nailed at the plate trying to score on McCartney's double.

Destiny Thompson would single home McCartney, and Rich would score on an error to give the Lady Jets the winning run.

CCHS took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, when McCartney was hit by a pitch and scored on a Destiny Thompson single, after a sacrifice by Rich.

Kingston tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth on singles by Katy Hamilton, Jessica Laws and Jacque Givens and a sacrifice. They took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on a triple by Jennifer Givens and an RBI single by Thearp.

Kelly Walker was the winning pitcher, allowing two runs on nine hits with six strikeouts.

Beth Ann Swafford, Lindsey Thompson and Destiny Thompson each had two hits for the Lady Jets (12-16).

Jennifer Givens had three hits for Kingston.

Kingston stranded eight base runners, while CCHS left 12.

Jennifer Givens and Alexis Williams both singled for the visitors in the first inning, but were stranded.

Walker then fanned the next six hitters, before Jennifer Givens singled in the third inning.

Anna Hamilton singled in the sixth and Alexis Williams singled in the seventh. Both were stranded.

CCHS loaded the bases in the first inning on a single by Swafford, a walk and a hitbatsman, but all three were stranded, and put two runners on in the second by a single by Walker and a walk. Those two runners were stranded.

After plating one run in the third, two were runners were stranded. They left the bases jammed in the fourth and one more on in the fifth on a double by Niki Hassler.

During pre-game ceremonies, seniors Destiny Thompson, Jessica Lancianese and Niki Hassler were recognized.

After playing in the Coffee County Tournament over the weekend in Manchester, CCHS will make up two District 5AAA games next week — at Walker Valley Monday and at Cleveland Tuesday, before visiting Stone Memorial on May 1.

Monday and Tuesday's games will determine the Lady Jets seeding in the District 5AAA Tournament, which begins Monday, May 5 at McMinn County High School. The coaches will meet next week to set the pairings for the double-elimination tournament.

The District 5AAA winner will host the District 6AAA runner-up on Monday, May 12 in the Region 3AAA Tournament. The District 6AAA champion hosts the District 5AAA runner-up. The region championship is on May 14.