BROOKSVILLE, Ky. — The 10th Region softball quarterfinals began on Monday at the Bracken County softball field.
After days of poor weather caused the rescheduling of Monday’s contests, Bracken County worked hard to get their field ready for game time in their first time hosting the tournament in program history.
“It’s nice to be able to do it. We worked our rear ends off to get it ready. Obviously with the five inches of rain we’ve had the last couple days, and everybody under the sun whining and complaining, saying we can’t hold it, it’s not safe, but I think it looks pretty dag-gone good,” said Lady Bears head coach Jamey Johnson.
The Lady Bears took to their home field first that afternoon for their quarterfinal matchup against the Bishop Brossart Lady ‘Stangs. The two teams had faced off once prior this season in the 10th Region All “A” Classic championship, with Bracken County picking up a 9-8 victory.
In the top of the first, Bracken County leadoff batter Kyndall Johnson walked, followed by a trio of singles from Jenna Colvin, Jordan Ahrens and Ella Burton to bring Johnson in to score. Another walk from Rees Hargett and a single from Presley Johnson brought in two more runs for the Lady Bears, now leading 3-0 heading into the bottom half of the inning.
“That first inning should’ve kept on going. A phantom tag got us there and I’m not afraid to say it,” said Coach Johnson. “Nothing we can do about that, should’ve kept on scoring that inning and for some reason couldn’t hit the ball after that.”
The Lady Bears held Bishop Brossart scoreless in the bottom of the first, but were also unable to pick up any runs in the top of the second, sending the Lady ‘Stangs back to the batter’s box. Bracken County gave up six runs this inning off five singles, a double and a walk. Now leading 6-3 over the Lady Bears, Brossart hoped to continue holding off Bracken County’s batters through the remainder of the contest.
“We should’ve had two outs at one point. I remember at one point when I switched pitchers, I said we should’ve had two outs when they scored six runs, and probably only one run given up that inning. Of course, we had a dropped ball at first base and we had something else, a bunt that we should’ve thrown the runner out, and we didn’t have anybody covering the base — we beat ourselves,” said Coach Johnson.
The Lady ‘Stangs added two more runs in the bottom of the third to lead 8-3, a lead they held onto until the top of the sixth.
That inning, a pair of singles from Macy Beckett and Johnson, followed by a ground ball from Ahrens, allowed two more runs scored for the Lady Bears.
“I was hoping we could’ve got into where we were in a bases loaded situation as we got back to the top of our lineup, and at least scored a couple more runs if not several,” said Coach Johnson.
Bracken County held Brossart scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, but were unable to bring runners home in the top of the seventh, bringing an end to the game with the Lady ‘Stangs leading 8-5. This game marks the end of Bracken County’s 2026 season, and they graduated three seniors at the end of this year, Jordan Ahrens, Ella Burton and Lauren Ruark.
“It’s been a great four years, only three of them with me, but I’ve been a part of their lives for several years, helping out and stuff. I wish them all the best. They’re all bright young ladies and they will be successful in whatever they do,” said Coach Johnson.
Bishop Brossart is scheduled to return to the field at Bracken County this evening to take on the George Rogers Clark Lady Cardinals in the 10th Region semifinals. That game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. first pitch.
BRACKEN COUNTY
H: Colvin 2, Beckett 2, P. Johnson 2, K. Johnson 2, Burton, Ahrens, Tucker
R: Colvin 2, K. Johnson, Ahrens, Fieglein
RBI: P. Johnson, Burton, Hargett
IP: Hargett 4.0, Tucker 2.0
K: Hargett 3
BB: Tucker
BISHOP BROSSART
H: Walerius 3, Shewmaker 2, Stadelmann 2, Wietholter 2, Robinson 2, Schultz 2, Merley 2, Freppon 2
R: Shewmaker, Stadelmann 2, Wietholter 2, Schultz, Merkley
RBI: Shewmaker, Wietholter 2, Robinson 2, Schultz, Freppon, Wells
SB: Schultz 2
IP: Bezold 7.0
BB: Bezold 4
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