Hillary Clinton Amps Up

LOUISVILLE -- Hillary Clinton was the Louisville Slugger here. 

Even as she was taking a beating in coal country at the hands of Bernie Sanders , a feisty and exuberant Clinton took the fight to Donald Trump on Tuesday with some of her toughest and most specific campaign trail language yet, especially on foreign policy.

The crowd of about 1,000 beneath the grandstands at Slugger Field loved it as she derided the notion that Trump could be commander in chief.

"We've been hearing a lot of reckless things from Donald Trump," Clinton said, citing his suggestion that nations such as Saudi Arabia, Japan and Korea be allowed to develop nuclear weapons capability.

"Some people say he doesn't mean it," she added, "but when you are running for and serving as president of the United States, you better mean what you say.

"We're all trying to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons, and he wants four more countries to have them."

Clinton portrayed Trump as an irresponsible isolationist who would allow Iran free rein in the Middle East.

"They'll take over everybody else," she warned.

"I am looking forward to debating Donald Trump," Clinton said to cheers.

Trump was dividing the country at a time when unity was essential.

"Enough with the hate and insults! It's time we said 'enough!'"

She sounded a note of defiance and strength.

"The right wing never gives up. They've been attacking me for 25 years. And I'm still standing!"

The crowd went wild.

Meanwhile, Clinton lost the Democratic primary next door in West Virginia -- and probably will lose the one here in Kentucky next week .

Embarrassing, not fatal -- but a warning of the road ahead for the woman with a bat now in hand.