Paintsville captures 15th Region All ‘A’ Classic title

Paintsville defeated rival Pikeville 12-2 in six innings in the 15th Region All “A” Classic championship game in Inez on Friday, April 7. Photo courtesy of Paintsville High School

STAFF REPORT

BSN

INEZ — Paintsville pulled away to defeat rival Pikeville 12-2 in six innings in the 15th Region All “A” Classic championship game on Friday, April 7.

Much-improved Paintsville claimed its first All “A” title in 16 years and defeated Pikeville for the first time in seven years.

Paintsville overcame a two-run deficit to claim the win in the Martin County-hosted tournament. Pikeville led 2-0 before Paintsville plated four runs in the bottom half of the third inning.

Following a second four-run outburst, Paintsville led 8-0.

Paintsville scored 12 runs on 11 hits and committed only one error.

Laney Bledsoe claimed the win in the circle for the Lady Tigers. Aiding her pitching cause at the plate, Bledsoe doubled and drove in two runs.

Pikeville pitcher Lexie Akers suffered the loss.

Along with Bledsoe, Chessa Collins (two hits, two RBIs), Ashley Wells (two hits, three RBIs), Destiny Trimble (one hit, two RBIs), Molly Music (three hits, one RBI) and Kelsey Nusspickel (one hit, three RBIs) each thrived at the plate for Paintsville in the championship-clinching win.

Cassidy Slater (two hits) and Shana Ray (one hit, one RBI) combined to pace Pikeville at the plate.

Defensively, Pikeville committed two errors in the title game.