WCHS wins fifth straight 41st District softball title

Woodford County took home the district championship on Wednesday, May 22 with an 8-0 win over Western Hills. Sophomore pitcher Claire Luhmkuhler tossed seven shutout innings, Abby Moffett homered twice, and the Lady Yellow Jackets used an explosive third inning to beat the Lady Wolverines. Moffett got the offense going in the second inning with a solo home run to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 1-0. An inning later she would homer again as the Jackets went back to back. First, Delaney Enlow went deep, scoring Jocelynn Edwards and Kasey Abel to make it a 5-0 game. Moffett’s second home run of the day, another solo shot, would extend the lead to six. Kelsey Coleman and Emily Hestand would also each tally an RBI in the seven-run third inning as the Lady Jackets batted around. Lehmkuhler continued to mow down the Western Hills lineup as she cruised to her second complete game shutout of the season. Unlike the first one, which came in a mercy rule shortened performance in Myrtle Beach, this one came in a full seven inning outing. Pitching has been a strong point for the team all season long, as Woodford County has allowed the second fewest runs in the 11th region. Most impressively, the pitching staff does not utilize any seniors. Lehmkuhler still has two seasons left in a Woodford uniform after this one, Elizabeth and Jocelynn Edwards are a freshman and 7th grader, respectively. The only other pitcher to see substantial time in the circle is Natalie Kerr, another 7th grader. Because of her strong pitching performance, Lehmkuhler took home 41st district tournament MVP honors. She was joined on the all-tournament team by first baseman Delaney Enlow, third baseman Emily Hestand, and centerfielder Abby Moffett. Woodford finished the season with a 7-1 record and an 84-10 run differential against district opponents.