Two days after dropping their second consecutive game, the Lady Jackets found their way back into the win column on Tuesday afternoon defeating Bell County 12-0.

“Middlesboro came to play,” said Bell County coach Alex Barnett. “They’re a very well-coached team that’s really starting to find their rhythm. They hit the ball very well all day and ran the bases well, they’re a good team. I felt like we lacked a little bit of intensity, which is something we ae going to have to improve on.

“This is just one game in a very long season, so we are going to have to shake it off and get back to playing our brand of softball. We have a lot of potential. If we can take care of a few minor things, we are going to be a much better team.”

Middlesboro coach Petie Gilbert praised his team’s ability to make contact with the ball and their work in the field.

“I thought we played a good game,” said Gilbert. “We hit the ball well and played good defense, as well as pitched well. I’m proud of our team. Bell County is a good team. I saw a lot of improvement in them from last season. They’re going to be fine. They’re coached well and have all the potential in the world. We are happy to get the win, but now it’s back to work.”

Things got off to a good start for the Lady Cats as they retired the first two Lady Jacket batters. Aubrey Sowders was hit by a pitch to give Middlesboro their first runner on base. Virginia Marcum delivered a line drive two RBI single, driving in Sowders and Shelby Frazier, before rounding home herself, giving the Lady Jackets a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

The Lady Cats held the Lady Jackets to one run in the second inning, as Lindsey Buis rounded home behind a Macey Mink single.

The Lady Jackets broke open their offense in the third inning, with runs from Megan Gent, Sidney McWilliams, Buis and Mink to increase the Lady Jacket lead to 8-0.

The Lady Jackets added two more runs apiece in the final two innings, securing the 12-run victory over their in-county rival in their first match-up this season.

The Lady Jackets accumulated nine hits on 21 at-bats, scoring 12 total runs. In 17 at-bats, the Lady Cats managed a single hit from Makenzie Napier.

With the victory, the Lady Jackets moved to 7-8 on the season. Middlesboro took on the North Laurel Lady Jaguars Thursday on the road.

With the loss, the Lady Cats moved to 5-2 on the season. The Lady Cats took on the Knox Central Lady Panthers Thursday, which was one of their only two losses up to this point in the season.