Williams with the big knock

The rivalry between the South Laurel Lady Cards and the North Laurel Jaguars was always intense, but tonight's game took the excitement to a whole new level. As South pulls some late inning magic getting the win 9-6 In the early innings, it was the South Laurel who came out swinging, their bats ablaze as they put up five runs in the first three innings. Ryleigh Bretz came up big with a sacrifice fly, driving in a crucial run and putting South Laurel ahead 5-0. That was just only the beginning. But the North Laurel Jags weren't about to go down without a fight. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Saige McClure stepped up to the plate and launched a towering home run over the outfield fence, putting North Laurel on the scoreboard again, making the game 5-3. The offense continued in the top of the sixth inning when Emma Rice of South Laurel answered with a homer of her own, extending her team's lead. However, North Laurel quickly responded, rallying behind Bella Sizemore's clutch single that tied the game up at 6 in the bottom of the sixth. With tensions running high and the game hanging in the balance, it was Kenzie Williams of South Laurel who delivered the decisive blow. In the top of the seventh inning, with runners on base, Williams stepped up to the plate and connected with a pitch, sending it soaring deep into the night sky. The ball sailed over the fence for a three-run home run, giving South Laurel a 9-6 lead. As Williams rounded the bases, her teammates erupted into cheers, celebrating her clutch hit and the lead it had secured for their team. Despite a valiant effort from North Laurel, the Lady Cards held on to their lead, clinching the victory in a hard-fought battle between two fierce rivals. What a game, there were no losers here. Round 1 goes to South, both teams will be major players for a Region Championship.... What a game