PREP SOFTBALL: Central Hardin tops LaRue County, 2-1 (05/29)

Jill Pickett

LaRue County's Megan Mauldin tags out Central Hardin's Samantha Faulkner trying to dive back to second base during the 5th Region Softball Tournament semifinal Wednesday at Hart County High School in Munfordville.

Buy this photo

Jill Pickett

Central Hardin's Alanna Stanton lays down a sacrifice bunt during the 5th Region Softball Tournament semifinal Wednesday at Hart County High School in Munfordville.

Buy this photo

Jill Pickett

Central Hardin's Kylie Brady slides in safe for the winning run as LaRue County catcher Allie Perkins catches the throw home during the 5th Region Softball Tournament semifinal Wednesday at Hart County High School in Munfordville.

Buy this photo

By NATHANIEL BRYAN nbryan@thenewsenterprise.com MUNFORDVILLE — Redemption came a day later for Samantha Faulkner, but for the senior catcher and the rest of the Central Hardin High School softball team, the timing was just right. After her throwing error on a routine play led to an early deficit for her Lady Bruins, Faulkner redeemed herself with a run-scoring single in the fifth inning to tie the game and help Central Hardin eventually knock off the LaRue County Lady Hawks, 2-1 on Wednesday evening in the 5th Region Softball Tournament’s second semifinal at Hart County. “Sam always comes through for us,” said Central Hardin senior third baseman Kylie Brady, who went 2-for-3 with a triple and scored the winning run. “She’s so hard-headed that she’ll do anything to win, but I think that’s her best quality.” LaRue County went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first Tuesday night as junior second baseman Megan Mauldin led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored from second when Faulkner overthrew freshman pitcher Kristina Krupinski. But that was the only run the Lady Hawks could muster off Krupinski, who has held all four postseason opponents to two hits or less. Krupinski walked one batter and hit another. In addition to Mauldin’s single, freshman center fielder Lindsay Whitlock led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single for LaRue County’s only other hit. “She’s just doing an incredible job for us right now,” Central Hardin coach Mark Martin said. “She hits her spots well and when she throws it hard, she can make it hard on hitters. And she was throwing hard. She let a couple loose at the end.” The teams got in an inning and a half Tuesday night before storms forced the rest of the game to be postponed until Wednesday. With a night to clear their heads, the Lady Bruins got back on track. Although it took them a few innings to get into a groove. The Lady Bruins went three-up, three-down in both the third and fourth innings, but pulled even with the Lady Hawks in the fifth. Senior center fielder Kelly Peters led off by drawing a six-pitch walk and moved to second on a bunt by junior left fielder Alanna Stanton, who went 2-for-2 with a triple. On her fifth pitch from LaRue County eighth-grade pitcher Brittany Enlow, Faulkner hit a run-scoring single to center field and moved to second on the throw home. “Last night we kind of got our heads down for a bit, but for most of the tournament, we’ve had our heads up. We’ve been ready,” Faulkner said. “When we came out and hit them like that in the first inning, we knew we could get something going the next inning or the inning after.” Faulkner’s hit breathed new life into the Lady Bruins, who struck out four times and had only three hits in the first four innings. “Sam’s hit couldn’t have come at a better time,” Martin said. “We came out a little sluggish, but once we tied the game, we got back into it mentally. That gave us some energy.” That energy helped Central Hardin take its first and only lead the next inning as Brady led off with a first-pitch triple and scored two pitches later on eighth-grade designated hitter Abbi Goedde’s flyout to deep center field. “For an eighth-grader, Abbi can really hit it. And if teams choose not to pitch to me, they still have to face her,” Brady said. Krupinski shut down the Lady Hawks in their half of the sixth inning, but did see a bit of drama in the Lady Hawks’ final at-bat. With two outs and no one on, Lindsay Whitlock appeared to have been hit by a pitch. And instead of being awarded first base like her twin sister, Valerie, was when she was hit by Krupinski in the fourth inning, Lindsay Whitlock was told by the home plate umpire to get back into the batter’s box. One pitch later, Krupinski ended the game with her sixth strikeout. “Kristina’s a beast,” Brady said. “I don’t know what else to say about her. She’s consistent. … And she’s just good.” The loss ended LaRue County’s season at 19-13. Next season, the Lady Hawks will have to replace starting third baseman Tesha Paysen, designated hitter Casi Bright and reserve infielder Ashley Abell – who suffered a season-ending injury against Union Ryle in the regular season – due to graduation. “For us to go 19-13 with such a young team, that’s a great year,” said LaRue County coach Mielle DiStefano, whose team had only five players with region tournament experience prior to this week. “I think this shows that LaRue County is still one of the top teams in the 5th Region.” Central Hardin (23-13) is tentatively scheduled to meet North Hardin (22-13) in the championship game at 4 p.m. Saturday, although Martin said playing Sunday is a possibility that will be discussed today. The title game will mark Central Hardin’s fourth and final meeting this year with the Trojans. North Hardin won the teams’ second regular-season meeting, but Central Hardin won the teams’ first regular-season meeting as well as notching a 6-0 win over North Hardin in the 17th District Softball Tournament’s championship game. “I kind of hoped for this,” Brady said. “Because if you’re playing North four times, that means you’re where you want to be.” CENTRAL HARDIN 2, LARUE COUNTY 1                                           R   H   E Central Hardin 000    011   0   2   6   2 LaRue County   100    000   x   1   2   1 Kristina Krupinski and Samantha Faulkner. Brittany Enlow and Allie Perkins. WP: Krupinski. LP: Enlow. 3B: Alanna Stanton (CH), Kylie Brady (CH). Nathaniel Bryan can be reached at 505-1758