Mercer County and Garrard County remained alive in the 12th Region softball tournament after winning one-run games in the first round, while Boyle County bowed out with a lopsided loss.

Mercer defeated Casey County 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament Tuesday at Mercer, and Garrard followed with a 2-1 victory over Southwestern.

It was the first regional tournament win since 2018 for Mercer (16-9), which was making its first regional appearance in three seasons.

Garrard (13-19) advanced in the regional tourney for the first time since 2019, when it reached the finals.

The Lady Titans and Lady Lions faced off Thursday night in a semifinal for a berth in the championship game.

Boyle (13-18) saw its season end with a 13-4 loss to East Jessamine, a team it has faced nine times and beaten six times in the past 12 years.