Kora Forbes wasn’t single-handily responsible for the Lady Pioneers beating White County Monday, but she didn’t need a lot of help either. The junior had a night to remember in Sparta, throwing a gem and finishing with the game-breaking hit that proved to be the difference in a 2-1 victory over the Warriorettes.
Forbes was a dominant force on the road, going the distance in the circle as Warren County improved to 5-4 overall. She allowed just three hits, struck out six and was able to navigate around five Lady Pioneer errors to keep White County from rolling up runs.
Warren County wasn’t having much luck at the plate either in the matchup, but Forbes made sure to make her clutch at-bat in the third inning count. She ripped a two-run single with the bases loaded, scoring two as the Lady Pioneers took the lead.
White County got one back on a solo homer in the bottom of the frame, but Forbes allowed just one hit from that point to secure a pivotal win.
Erratic defense has been an issue for the Lady Pioneers this season and it was no different Monday against the Warriorettes, but Warren County made enough plays to make Forbes’ two-run single hold up. The Lady Pioneers turned a 1-6-3 double play in the first, ignited by a sweet snag by Forbes on a hot shot up the middle, Jaz Ward cut down a runner trying to take second in the fourth to end the inning and shortstop Alyssa Mosley had three putouts in the last three innings, including snaring a hard liner in the fifth.
The Lady Pioneers didn’t get the bats going much, but Lola Wells continued to be a bright spot in the middle of the order.
The freshman upped her average to .346 with a pair of hits Monday, including her first single loading the bases before Forbes’ big swing. She added a lead-off single in the fifth, though she was thrown out trying to advance to third on a fly ball later in the inning.
Forbes added her second hit in the seventh, roping a double into left field. Addison Smith followed by drawing a walk and Maggy Whiles reached on a two-out infield single to load the bases, but the Lady Pioneers were able to add any insurance going into bottom of the seventh.
It didn’t matter with Forbes in the circle. She ended the game with her sixth strikeout as she continues to be the star early in the season for the Lady Pioneers. Forbes is 4-1 as the team’s No. 1 starter and also leads the team with two homers and 14 RBIs.
Warren County won’t be back in action again until April 4 against Franklin County.
