Averaging 21 runs per game through two games this season, the Lady Jackets are winning games in dominating fashion in the 13th Region All “A” Classic. After falling behind to Williamsburg 6-2 in the opening round of the tournament, the Lady Jackets rattled off 21 unanswered runs to defeat their first-round opponent on Monday, advancing to the semifinals against Lynn Camp at home on Tuesday.

In similar fashion, the Lady Jackets used 18 unanswered runs to defeat Lynn Camp 19-9 to advance to the championship game.

“I wish we would come out that hot from the beginning,” said Middlesboro coach Petie Gilbert. “It’ll almost give you a heart attack. I think we are a wonderful hitting team, but we are trying to improve on our pitching some more. Our starting pitcher is injured right now, and we are working with a freshman and a sophomore. They’re doing a fine job; we just need to polish it up a little bit.

“I think our defense is outstanding in the field when the ball is in play. If we can keep people off base, I think we will be a hard team to play with. Walking runners and having them on base puts a bit of a damper on defense and slows the game down.

“I feel like we walk too many batters and allow too many runners on base. If we can tighten up our pitching, we will be a hard team to beat.”

Lynn Camp was aggressive in the box, and jumped out to a quick 9-1 lead over the Lady Jackets. However, for the second straight day, Middlesboro rallied from a deficit with explosiveness on the bats. While rattling off 18-straight runs, the Lady Jackets were able to hold the Lady Cats scoreless, defeating Lynn Camp in five innings.

With the victory, the Lady Jackets move to 2-0 on the season. Middlesboro was slated to play the Harlan Lady Green Dragons last night for the 13th Region All “A” Classic championship in Harlan. With the loss, the Lady Cats move to 1-1 on the season and await a Friday afternoon double-header with the Thomas Walker Lady Pioneers in Ewing, Va.