FORT WALTON BEACH — It was a great week in Florida for the Anderson County Lady Bearcats.
Head coach Brent Aldridge was very pleased that he saw improvements over the week at the Florida Softball Beach Bash and pleased that the players had a really good time.
On the positive side of a 3-2 week, Aldridge felt the outfield play, especially Ella Baum’s impressive week in center field, improved. The pitching continues to improve and some Lady Bearcats stepped it up.
On the side where work needs to continue is consistency at the plate. Aldridge is looking for consistency from the top to the bottom of the lineup on the offensive side.
Anderson County enters the second half of the season 8-7 record.
On Sunday, Anderson County jumped on top quickly and defeated Franklin-Simpson. The Lady Bearcats had 13 hits on the day.
Aspen Mitchell had three hits on the day and Lacey Osborne, Lillana, Paige Garland and Emma Stevens all had two base hits. Mefford had a triple and a double for her two hits.
In the circle, Osborne had her best day of the week, allowing no runs and only four hits in five innings. Aldridge said his pitcher located her pitches extremely well and never allowed a big hit.
On Monday, Anderson County faced Eastern, a team they played and defeated just 11 days earlier. This time, the Seventh Region foe got the better of Anderson County 6-0.
On the day, Anderson County only had one hit off pitcher Hallie Roberts. He said Roberts was very good and she was getting the close pitches, which his players didn’t respond to.
Defensively, there were too many singles that turned into extra bases.
Anderson County rebounded quickly with a 12-2 five-inning win over Union County of Maynandville, Tenn.
Once again, the Lady Bearcats jumped out early and never looked back.
Bailey Mitchell went two for three with three RBI. Aldridge said it has been impressive how she is crushing the ball this season.
Stevens also had two hits on the day.
In the circle, Osborne had another good game, allowing one hit while striking out seven.
After a day on the beach, the team came back and suffered a heart-breaking 6-5 loss to Taylor County.
The Lady Bearcats had 11 hits on the day but couldn’t get the big hits to break open the game.
Faith McGregor had a solo home run and Lacey Osborne was three for four at the plate. Stevens also had two hits.
Aldridge said Taylor County would come back in the seventh to earn the victory.
In the week’s finale, Anderson County headed home with a 12-2 victory over Henry County in five innings.
It was a day for the sluggers as Anderson County hit two home runs, including a grand slam by McGregor and solo shot by Osborne. Another shot by Molly Wooldridge was stopped only by the tall wall in center field for a double.
On the day, Anderson County collected 11 hits with Bailey and Aspen Mitchell, Osborne and McGregor each having two.
Osborne allowed just four hits and one earned run in going the distance.
Overall, Aldridge was pleased that McGregor had two home runs for the week and that leads to a return to her hitting form of the past. Bailey Mitchell is getting better with each outing and freshmen Paige Garland and Emma Stevens are improving each day.
“This team is right there if they can correct the little things,” said Aldridge.
The Lady Bearcats entertained George Rogers Clark on Wednesday and will go on the road tonight to play South Oldham.
Next Tuesday, district play opens with a visit to Woodford County at 6 p.m. and Thursday’s home district encounter with Spencer County at 6 p.m.