SALYERSVILLE – Magoffin County fell short as Paintsville prevailed 8-5 in the semifinals of the 57th District Softball Tournament on Monday, May 31.
The loss eliminated Magoffin County from the high school softball postseason. Former 15th Region frontrunner Magoffin County exited the 2021 high school softball season 14-13.
With the win, Paintsville improved to 16-18. Paintsville advanced to the 57th District Softball Tournament title game after notching the win over the Hornets.
Jaden Williams took the pitching loss for Magoffin County. Williams allowed eight runs on nine hits while giving up one walk and registering nine strikeouts over seven innings.
Magoffin County plated five runs on a dozen hits.
Katie Howard homered for Magoffin County in the season-ending loss.
Williams (1-for-3), Howard (1-for-4, two RBIs), Presley Smith (3-for-4, one RBI), Holly Handshoe (2-for-3), Emilee Bailey (2-for-4, one RBI), Jaylynn Lafferty (1-for-3), Scarlett McCarty (1-for-3) and Rylie Castle (1-for-3) contributed at the plate for the Hornets.
Both Handshoe and Castle doubled.
Prior to the postseason high school softball matchup played on Memorial Day, Magoffin County dropped a game to Paintsville during the regular season.
Paintsville moved on to meet crosstown rival Johnson Central in the 57th District Softball Tournament title game.
