Lady Royals lose to Harrison County 6-1 in region semifinals

The Mason County Lady Royals were held to three hits and lost to the Harrison County Fillies 6-1 in the semifinals of the 10th Region softball tournament on Thursday at Pendleton County.

The Lady Royals fell behind 6-0 before scoring their lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kylah Turner drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second base on a groundout by Olivia Hughes, reached third base on a wild pitch and scored on Reese Hardeman's sacrific fly.

Mason County threatened to score in the bottom of the seventh inning. Karleigh Thomas and Kenzie Gulley both singled followed by another walk to Turner, but the Lady Royals left the bases loaded.

Hughes and Delana Rigg were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Mason County ends the season with an 11-19 record.

Lady Royals advance to region semifinals with 5-1 victory over Scott

Olivia Hughes went 3 for 4, drove in two runs and scored a run and Delana Rigg pitched a four-hitter as the Mason County Lady Royals beat the Scott Lady Eagles 5-1 in the opening game of the 10th Region Tournament in Falmouth on Monday morning.

The Lady Royals scored three runs in the first inning. Reese Hardeman drove in Kylah Turner with a single, Hughes, who had singled, scored on a groundout by Workman, and Hardeman scored on an error.

After Scott scored a run in the top of the fourth inning, Mason County added a run in the bottom of the fourth. Kenzie Gulley hit a triple and scored on a single by Hughes.

The Lady Royals tacked on an insurance run in the fifth inning. Gulley drew a walk, moved to second on a fielder's choice, stole third base and scored on another single by Hughes.

Rigg struckout four and walked two in picking up her sixth win of the season.

Mason County (11-18) will play the Harrison County Fillies in the semifinals on Tuesday at 5 p.m. Harrison County shutout George Rogers Clark 10-0 in six innings on Monday.

Lady Royals fall to Lewis County 3-2 in eight innings

The Mason County Lady Royals lost to the Lewis County Lady Lions 3-2 in eight innings on Monday in Vanceburg.

The Lady Royals scored both of their runs in the second inning. Reagan Workman drove in Reese Hardeman with a triple and scored on Claire Miller's  RBI single for the Lady Royals who fell to 8-18.

Mason County will host Campbell County today at 6 p.m.

Lady Royals beat Dixie Heights 11-2

Kenzie Gulley had three hits including a triple, stole four bases, scored a run and drove in a run as the Mason County Lady Royals beat the Dixie Heights Colonels 11-2 on Wednesday in Edgewood. 

Sydney Ullery and Reese Hardeman each drove in two runs. Delana Rigg and Olivia Hughes each had three hits, scored a run, drove in a run and combined on a five-hitter.

Mason County (7-13) will host the Nicholas County Lady Jackets today at 5:30 p.m.

Lady Royals fall to Lewis County 10-7 in Keith Carver Classic

A 10-7 loss to the Lewis County Lions on Saturday in the Keith Carver Classic pushed the Mason County Lady Royals' losing streak to six games.

Lewis County led 9-2 after three innings. Mason County scored at least a run in every inning but the second.

The Lady Lions outhit the Lady Royals 15-11. Mason County had two errors.

Reese Hardeman hit a solo home run and had two RBI for the Lady Royals. 

Mason County (4-8) will be back in action on Thursday at West Carter. 

Lady Royals second, Royals fourth in Tennessee track and field meet

The Mason County track and field teams spent part of spring break in Tennessee and competed in the Oak Ridge Legends Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished second to Mountain Brooks High School of Alabama and the Royals took fourth place.

Reese Hardeman broke the school record for outdoor shot put with a throw of 34' 6". The previous record was set in 1989.

Ava Thompson broke her own school record in the pole vault with a vault of 12 feet.

There were 13 performances that currently rank Mason County athetes in the top five of Class AA in Kentucky and another 12 performances that place the athletes between sixth and 10th place in Class AA.

Here is a link to the results.

Mason County will compete in AJ's Heart of Bluegrass Track Classic in Harrodsburg this Saturday.

Lady Royals lose two games in the Cal Ripken Experience on Tuesday

The Mason County Lady Royals lost their first two games in the Cal Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

They suffered a 13-5 loss to York High of Elmhurst, Illinois on Tuesday morning and lost to Chicago Taft 10-1 on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lady Royals committed five errors in the morning game. Kenzie Gulley had two hits and scored a run. Reese Hardeman and Delana Rigg each had an RBI. 

Karleigh Thomas drove in Cadence Garrison with a double in the sixth inning in the afternoon game.

The Lady Royals (4-4) will play McDowell Senior High of Erie, Pennsylvania on Thursday at 1 p.m.

Lady Royals shutout Nicholas County 10-0

Delana Rigg pitched a four-hitter and struck out 14 batters as the Mason County Lady Royals beat the Nicholas County Lady Jackets 10-0 in six innings on Friday in Carlisle.

Aubrey Gross had three hits and two RBI. Reese Hardeman had three hits and one RBI. Olivia Hughes, Karleigh Thomas and Reagan Workman each had two RBI.

Mason County (4-2) is scheduled to play three games in the Cal Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee next week.

Reese Hardeman signs with Georgetown College

Mason County senior Reese Hardeman signed on Wednesday to continue her academic and track and field careers at Georgetown College.

Hardeman finished fifth in the shot put at the state indoor championships last month, established the school record in the weight throw in February and finished 10th in the shot put at the outdoor state championships last May.

She is the catcher on the Mason County softball team.

Congratulations to Reese Hardeman on signing to further her academic and athletic career at Georgetown University! pic.twitter.com/nkOly332Ai

— Mason Co. Athletics (@RoyalsAth1etics) March 26, 2025

Lady Royals get wins over Bracken County and Elliott County; Royals fall to Scott

The Mason County Lady Royals beat the Bracken County Lady Bears 7-3 on Friday and the Elliott County Lady Lions 15-1 in five innings on Saturday to run their record to 3-1.

Reese Hardeman had three hits, two RBI and scored three runs, Olivia Hughes was the winning pitcher and had two hits and two RBI and Aubrey Gross hit a solo home run in Friday's win.

Mason County scored 12 runs in the second inning of Saturday's game. Kylah Turner had three hits, three RBI and scored three runs and Hughes picked up her third win and went 3 for 4, drove in four runs and scored a run.

The Lady Royals play at Robertson County on Monday.

The Mason County Royals fell to 0-2 with a 3-1 loss to the Scott Eagles in Taylor Mill on Friday.

Mason County is scheduled to play its home opener on Monday vs. the Bishop Brossart Mustangs.

Mason County sweeps first indoor track and field meet of the season

The Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track and field teams swept the Mason County No. 1 meet on Saturday.

The Lady Royals finished with 122 points. Ryle was the runner-up. The Royals tallied 107 points. Bishop Brossart took second place with 67 points.

Mason County High School athletes with first place finishes include:

• Jaxen Crabtree, boys' 55 meter dash (6.94)
• Ava Thompson, girls' high jump (5-00.00)
• Trazon Lang, boys' high jump (6-00.00)
• Sarah Payne, girls' pole vault (10-00.00)
• Keenan Galloway, boys' pole vault (11-06.00)
• Reese Hardeman, girls shot put (33-07.00)
• The boys' 4x800 meter relay team (9:28.20)
• The girls' 4x400 meter relay team (4:35.99)

Mason County will host its second meet this Saturday.

Lady Royals are district champions

The Mason County Lady Royals won the 39th District Tournament with victories over the Augusta Lady Panthers and the Bracken County Lady Bears on Tuesday in Brooksville.

Mason County defeated Augusta 10-0 in five innings in the semifinals and shutout Bracken County 2-0 in the championship game.

In the semifinal game, Delana Rigg and Talynn Sapp combined on a two-hitter.

Rigg struck out eight in four innings. She also drove in three runs on two hits.

Kenzie Gulley went 3-for-3 with three RBI.

Olivia Hughes pitched a four-hitter and struck out five in the championship game.

Gulley led off the game with a double, stole second and scored on Reese Hardeman's RBI single.

Gulley led off third inning with a single, stole second and third and scored on an error.

It is Mason County's first district title since 2021.

Mason County and Bracken County both advance to the 10th Region Tournament.

2024 39th District Softball Champions!!! Congratulations Ladies!! pic.twitter.com/Q68hQAAfL6

— Mason Co. Athletics (@RoyalsAth1etics) May 22, 2024

Lady Royals fall to Greenup County 9-1

The Mason County Lady Royals closed out the road portion of their regular season schedule with a 9-1 loss to the Greenup County Lady Musketeers on Tuesday.

Greenup County scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning after Reese Hardeman drove in Kenzie Gulley for Mason County's lone run in the top of the first.

The Lady Royals (19-11) will host Russell on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Lady Royals run winning streak to six games with a victory Rowan County

The Mason County Lady Royals scored three runs in the seventh inning and beat the Rowan County Lady Vikings 6-4 on Thursday in Morehead for their sixth straight victory. 

Mason County led 3-0 after three innings, but Rowan County rallied to take a 4-3 lead.

Reese Hardeman, leading off the seventh inning, was hit by a pitch. Olivia Hughes followed with single. A single by Delana Rigg drove in Hardeman. After the next two batters were retired, Hayley Allison hit a single driving in Hughes and Rigg. 

Rigg finished with three hits and two RBI and scored two runs. She got the win in relief.

Mason County (17-8) will travel to Mt. Orab on Friday to play Western Brown at 6 p.m.

Lady Royals beat Nicholas County and Calvary Christian in Keith Carver Classic

The Mason County Lady Royals defeated the Nicholas County Lady Jackets 6-4 and the Calvary Christian Lady Cougars 11-1 in five innings in the Keith Carver Classic on Saturday at the Tom Browning Boys and Girls Club.

Kylah Turner's two-run double in the sixth inning broke a 4-4 tie in the first game. 

Kenzie Gulley went 3-for-4 with a single, a double and a triple and drove in three runs and scored three runs.

Reese Hardeman also had three hits and drove in a run.

Olivia Hughes picked up her 13th win. She struck out six while walking one and allowing seven hits.

Mason County scored eight runs in the third inning in the victory over Calvary Christian.

Ayslee Crabtree scored three runs.

Sydney Ullery went 2-for-2 including a triple and had two RBI.

Taylynn Sapp and Delana Rigg combined for a two-hitter.

The Lady Royals have won a season-high four straight games to run their record to 15-8.

Their next five games are on the road beginning Tuesday at Scott.

Lady Royals rout Paris 15-2 in six innings

Reese Hardeman and Kennadi Kirk each homered in the sixth inning to help the Mason County Lady Royals rout the Paris Lady Hounds 15-2 in six innings Tuesday at Paris.

Kirk finished 5-for-5 with a stolen base, three runs scored and five RBI.

Kenzie Gulley went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, four runs scored and three stolen bases.

Nine Lady Royals scored at least one run.

Olivia Hughes pitched a three-hitter, striking out six and walking three.

Mason County improved its record to 19-15. The Lady Royals' next game is Thursday at Rowan County.

Lady Royals' winning streak snapped by a 24-6 loss to Bath County

The Mason County Lady Royals' three-game winning streak came to a halt with a 24-6 loss to the Bath County Lady Wildcats in six innings Monday.

Mason County pitchers walked nine batters and did not have any strikeouts. The Lady Royals committed eight turnovers.

Reese Hardeman and Kylah Turner each had two hits. Hardeman had two RBI.

The Lady Royals (13-13)  are off today. They will host Elliott County Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Softball and baseball roundup

Kenzie Gulley went 4-for-4 and scored five runs, Marcella Gifford went 4-for-5 and drove in five runs and Reese Hardeman hit her first home run of the season in the Mason County Lady Royals' 12-6 win over the Nicholas County Lady Jackets Wednesday evening.

Mason County (5-4) will host the Bishop Brossart Lady 'Stangs today at 5:30 p.m.

A 10-run third inning boosted the Mason County Royals to a 14-3 win over the Nicholas County Bluejackets.

The Royals (6-1) will head to Florida Sunday to play four games in Tampa Bay Spring Training.

Mason County's first game on the spring break trip to the Sunshine State will be against St. Mary's of Lancaster, NY  Monday at 1 p.m.

Another sweep for the MasonCounty indoor track and field teams

For the second straight week the Mason County girls' and boys' indoor track and field teams swept the team titles at a Mason County meet.

The Lady Royals finished with 156.5 points. Bishop Brossart was second with 100 points.

The Royals won the boys' meet with 114 points. Simon Kenton was the runner-up with 63 points.

Less than 24 hours after sinking the game-winning free throws in the Lady Royals' win over Scott, freshman Lexi Young won three events: the 55 meter dash (7.51), the high jump (5-04.00) and the long jump (16-06.25)

Other first place finishes by Mason County athletes include:

• The girls' 4x800 meter relay team (11:06.19)
• The boys' 4x400 meter relay team (4:02.16)
• Austin Moreland, boys' 55 meter hurdles (8.90)
• Peyton Ullery, boys' 1600 meter run (5:00.96)
• Avery Sims, girls' 400 meter dash, (1:08.59)
• Layla Henderson, girls' 3000 meter run (11:26.98)
• Reese Hardeman, girls' shot put (27-10.00)
• Ava Thompson, girls' pole vault (9-03.00)
• AJ Barrett, boys' pole vault (12-06.00)

Meet #3 will take place this Saturday at the Mason County Indoor Athletic Complex.