Lady Cougars get first softball win

Down 4-0 Thursday afternoon in the bottom of the fifth inning against visiting Cumberland Gap, it looked as though Campbell County High School’s softball team would stay winless for another day.

Dwane Wilder

Members of the Campbell County High School softball team celebrate their come-from-behind victory over Cumberland Gap.

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Dwane Wilder

Shortstop Alyssa Miller reaches for a fly ball.

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Dwane Wilder

CCHS coach Rebecca Mongar yells out instructions to her players.

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Dwane Wilder

Campbell County batter Alyssa Miller lets a pitch go by that was just outside of her strike zone.

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Dwane Wilder

Lady Cougars’ ace pitcher Alex Hempsall winds up for a delivery

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Dwane Wilder

Lady Cougars’ third baseman Rachel Holloway makes a catch for an out.

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Dwane Wilder

Meghan Byrge is all smiles after catching the third out to clinch a 6-5 softball victory over Cumberland Gap.

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But the Lady Cougars suddenly woke from their slumber and scored six runs to take the lead.

Campbell County pitcher Alex Hempsall (8 Ks) held the Lady Panthers to one run the rest of the way to take a 6-5 victory.

A pep talk from their coach going into the bottom of the fifth inning seemed to light a fire under the Lady Cougars.

“I told them to play hard, keep their heads up and no (more) errors,” Campbell County coach Rebecca Mongar said.

“We had to get our bats going, get the ball out of the infield and be smart on the bases. Alex pitched a great game, and the girls played hard. They didn’t give up. They wanted a win.”

Megan Bailey Goodman got the ball rolling for the Lady Cougars with an RBI single. Mary Hickman followed with a 2-run single, and Kristy Stanley got an RBI to tie the game, 4-4.

Harley Duvall put Campbell County in the lead for the first time with an RBI single. Rylee Oakes drove in another run with a base hit to make it 6-4.

Cumberland Gap scored once more in the top of the seventh and had the tying run at the plate. 

However, Meghan Byrge caught a deep fly ball in center field for the third out to preserve the victory for the Lady Cougars, who improved their record to 1-7 overall.

The Lady Panthers dropped to 1-4 overall, with their lone win coming against Thomas Walker, Va.