How Hardin County softball lost six-run lead, then scored six more in TSSAA Spring Fling win

MURFREESBORO - Hardin County softball coach Chuck Patton was fired up after the Lady Tigers staved off a fifth-inning rally by Gibbs and a weather delay to win 12-9 in the second round of the Class 3A state tournament Wednesday. 

The game started off great for Hardin County (18-10-1) as Sarah Stricklin and Shelby Durbin each hit solo home runs in the first inning and the lead grew to  6-0 heading into the fifth. 

That's when Gibbs would tie it up at 6-6 before Hardin County bounced back and added six runs with five coming in the sixth over the next two innings.

In the sixth, Anna Harrison singled on a bunt to bring in Miley Samples for a run. Sara Katherine Tilson doubled to bring Harrison home from first base before Audrey Blackwelder's two-run home run and Durbin's second solo home run of the game. 

Samples hit the fifth home run of the game for the Lady Tigers in the seventh with a shot to left field. 

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Patton said that despite the lapse he told his team it could rebound and put up runs, too. 

"I told them to keep hitting. Keep getting the barrel out and keep swinging the bat. We felt like we could put more runs on the board," Patton said. "They just never quit. Every at-bat is important. Every swing is important and we didn't quit."

Durbin, who was on the first two Hardin County teams to make the state tournament in 2018 and 2019, said it feels good to be on the right part of history. 

Durbin, a Murray State commitment, went 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs.

"It feels really good (to win) especially since I was here the first time, and we are actually making history, so it's really fun," Durbin said. "It's really all about wanting it and having heart for it, and everybody here wants to keep going." 

After the game Patton seemed to be just as excited for the win as he is for Hardin County's next matchup against District 11-3A foe Lexington (47-1) at 4 p.m. at Starplex on Thursday. 

The teams matched up four times this season with Lexington coming away victorious in all four meetings including for the District 11-3A and Region 6-3A titles.

"We (will) play Lexington again for the fifth time. Us and the Lexington coaches had said maybe we get to meet each other in the finals of the winners bracket. So, we are getting there and we are excited," Patton said.