Published: June 05, 2009 09:59 pm      

Kittens bow out after stinging loss

OWENSBORO — Ashland made a strong showing in its first-ever Fast-

Pitch State Tournament on Friday.

The Kittens finished 1-2, losing a 4-3 heartbreaker to Pleasure Ridge Park in the last game of the first day of the double-elimination tournament at Jack Fisher Park.

In the opening game of the tournament, Ashland went toe-to-toe with favored Louisville Mercy and fell only 2-0. The Kittens failed to take advantage of a bases-loaded situation in the fourth inning.

But Ashland rebounded to defeat Shelby County 6-4 behind the pitching of sophomore Katelyn Miller and a two-run homer from freshman Kelsee Hammonds.

In the game with PRP, the Kittens started slow, falling behind 4-0 in the first inning with Hammonds pitching. Ashland rallied for three runs in the fifth inning and had a chance to tie the game in the seventh when it had a runner thrown out at the plate for the last out on a close play.

The Kittens finished the season 29-5.

Johnson Central, the 15th Region champion, dropped a couple of close ones. Conner defeated the Golden Eagles 1-0 and Pleasure Ridge Park won in the elimination game 2-1 in eight innings.

Eight teams remain from the 16-team field – four in the loser’s bracket and four in the winner’s bracket.

Mercy, Allen County-Scottsville, North Hardin and Owensboro Catholic are undefeated. PRP, Garrard County, Conner and Franklin County each have a loss.

The state champion will be decided Saturday.