Pikeville leaned on timely hitting and aggressive base running to edge district rival Shelby Valley 6-5, and Cat Walters was right in the middle of it all.

Walters delivered a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and a triple to spark the Panthers’ offense. She also crossed the plate twice and wreaked havoc on the bases, tallying three stolen bases to keep constant pressure on Shelby Valley’s defense.

In a game that stayed tight throughout, those extra bases made the difference. Pikeville capitalized on key opportunities, and Walters’ ability to turn hits into scoring chances helped the Panthers stay one step ahead.

The win pushes Pikeville to 8-6 on the season as they continue to build momentum against district competition. Next up, the Panthers return home to host the annual Lyndell Potter Invitational this weekend, where they’ll look to carry that energy into a busy slate of games as they host Knott County Central, Johnson Central and Logan (WV).