Boyle finishes third at state softball tourney
Boyle County’s remarkable run at the state softball tournament ended with a third-place finish after the Lady Rebels lost twice today.
Boyle lost 8-0 to No. 4 Mercy — the eventual champion — in the winners’ bracket final and 3-2 to No. 17 Lone Oak in the consolation bracket final, but its finish was still the best for any 1th Region team during the fast-pitch era. Follow these links to read the story and sidebar by the Advocate’s Hal Morris.
KK Davis and Lauren Richards were named to the all-tournament team. Richards led Boyle in the tournament with a .533 batting average, while Davis batted .375 and pitched 10 innings without allowing an earned run, striking out nine batters and walking only two.
Each of Boyle’s three pitchers — Davis, Hannah Miniard and Elysse Petrie — earned a win in the tournament. Miniard was the losing pitcher in both games today, but she pitched 16 1/3 innings with a 1.29 ERA, striking out 19 batters and walking only six.
Lindsey Edwards received one of four scholarships awarded by tournament sponsor Rawlings to players in the field.
Boyle’s run, which included wins over No. 22 Oldham County, Estill County and Ryle before its two losses, is one worth noting both because of its historical significance and because of what it could lead to in the future. The Lady Rebels lose only two seniors — Davis and Edwards — and the incoming freshman class just closed their middle school careers by winning their Salt River Conference championship.
