Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — A couple of freshman played like veterans.
Kaleigh Murphy pitched a three-hitter and Rylee Harmon delivered a three-run homer as the Coal Grove Lady Hornets blanked the New Lexington Lady Panthers 6-0 in the Division III sectional tournament on Tuesday.
Murphy struck out 11 and walked one in going the distance. She also went 2-4 at the plate.
The Lady Hornets snapped a scoreless tie with a run in the third inning when Addi Dillow hit a one-out solo home run.
Coal Grove opened up a 6-0 lead with five runs in the fifth inning.
Dillow reached on an error, Murphy singled and Jaiden Griffith was safe on an error for a run.
Harmon — who was 2-for-3 on the day — followed with the big blow of the inning as she smacked her three-run homer.
Macy Malone then reached on an error and score on a hit by Amber Schwartz.
Callie Fout, Alexis Sullivan and Breannan Lanning all had singles for the Lady Panthers’ hits.
Lydia Stephens took the loss as she went the distance. She struck out three and did not walk a batter.
Coal Grove plays at Ironton on Friday at 5 p.m. in the sectional finals.
New Lex 000 000 0 = 0 3 4
Coal Grove 001 050 x = 6 10 1
Lydia Stephens and Breanna Lanning. Kaleigh Murphy and Katie Deeds. W-Murphy (K-11, BB-1). L-Stephens (K-3, BB-0). Hitting-NL: Callie Fout 1-3 3B, Alexis Sullivan 1-3, Breanna Lanning 1-3; CG: Addie Dillow 2-4 HR rbi, Kaleigh Murphy 2-4, Jaiden Griffith 2-3, Rylee Harmon 2-3 HR 3-rbi, Amber Schwartz 1-3. Emily Carpenter 1-3.