Errors proved costly for the Hardin-Jefferson softball team.

The young Lady Hawks team would show their inexperience by committing five errors between the first and third innings. The errors would lead way to an early 5-0 lead for the Lady Panthers after two innings of play.

H-J was unable to recover from those early miscues and fell 8-2 to Liberty in the first game of Class 3A bi-district playoff game held at Hamshire-Fannett Thursday.

Liberty would load the bases early in the first thanks to two errors by H-J shortstop Madey Green. Kurstin Martin would then hit a long RBI double to left field to drive home Kamryn Parker and Katie Harris. Liberty would again take advantage of H-J errors in the second as well, scoring three runs with Harris driving in two off a deep ball to center field that was dropped by the outfielder.

H-J (20-5, 8-4) would get on the board in the second inning when Morris would drive home Mason Garcia on a double down the third base line. The Lady Hawks bats would remain stagnant for much of the game as Liberty pitcher Lacey Vaughn would pitch a complete game allowing just three hits.

Liberty (16-10, 8-2) would notch another huge inning in the top of the fourth. Harris would reach base again on a single that was mishandled by the second baseman. Andy Jeter would hit a double to shallow right field and drive home Harris and Kaylee Parker to put Liberty up, 8-1.

Ronnie Hughes is a freelance writer.

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Liberty takes first game vs. Hardin-Jefferson