Lee County sweeps Kell; advances to Elite Eight

LEESBURG — Kell got a second chance against Tina Benton on Wednesday. It never found a way to score against her.

The Lee County pitcher followed a complete-game shutout with three scoreless innings of relief, earning both victories as the No. 2-ranked Lady Trojans swept the Lady Longhorns 3-0 and 3-2 to advance to the Class 6A Elite Eight.

Lee County improved to 29-3 and secured a trip to the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus next week, pairing Benton’s work in the circle with just enough offense to settle two tight games.

Makinley Duke provided the power with a home run in the clincher. Brylyn Parsons supplied the less flashy — but equally valuable — finishing touches, twice bringing home runs on groundouts, including the winner in the sixth inning.

That combination proved enough to overcome a determined Kell team and starter Lyla Morici, who struck out 17 without issuing a walk across the doubleheader.

In the opener, Benton made sure Lee County’s modest offensive cushion held up.

She struck out five over seven shutout innings and helped at the plate, going 2-for-3 as the Lady Trojans collected six hits.

Porter Butler delivered the breakthrough, singling home a run in the third inning to put Lee County ahead. Duke and Jaylyn Purvis also drove in a run apiece.

Morici kept Kell within reach, allowing just one earned run in six innings, but the Lady Longhorns could not solve Benton. Brianna Gentry went 2-for-2, and Lee County’s defense helped preserve the shutout with a double play.

The second game began with a louder statement from Duke, who drove a solo home run over the center-field fence in the second inning. Parsons followed with a run-scoring groundout in the third, giving Lee County a 2-0 advantage.

This time, Kell answered.

The Lady Longhorns tied the game in the fourth, with a single down the left-field line by leadoff hitter Maggie Willmott helping pull Kell even. Willmott finished 4-for-4.

Reese Watkins worked through those first four innings for Lee County, allowing two runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Then Benton returned to the circle, and Kell’s scoring stopped.

She limited the Lady Longhorns to two hits over the final three innings, giving Lee County time to reclaim the lead. In the sixth, Parsons delivered another productive groundout to bring home the go-ahead run.

The Lady Trojans managed four hits against Morici — one each from Aubree Spencer, Mac Davis, Butler and Duke — but made them count. Their defense added another double play, and Benton finished what Watkins started.

Two close games. Two Benton victories. One trip to Columbus.