The Bulloch Academy softball team was looking to continue their hot start to the season when they hosted the Claxton Tigers on Monday afternoon. The Gators were in a tight one with the Tigers, but were able to pull away in the bottom of the 5th to win the game 4-1.
In the bottom of the 5th, the game was tied 1-1. As we have seen a couple times this season, Bulloch Academy was able to have good at bats to put themselves in position to add to the scoreboard.
Claire Coulter started things off with a base hit to reach 1st. Maralyne Belcher made the pitcher work and balked to 1st. Kaley Cardell loaded the bases with a stellar bunt that rolled to a stop right in between home plate and 1st base. Rylie Ann Claxton balked and that brought Coulter home. Mia Harris sent a ball into right field bringing Belcher home. Cardell scored off of a sacrifice fly ball to make the score 4-1.
The defense was one of the more impressive aspects of the Gators' win on Monday. Mckenna Furnari led the way as the starting pitchers and played the whole game finishing with 8 strikeouts in the game. The fielding for Bulloch Academy helped make Furnari's job easier. Whenever the Tigers were able to put the bat on a ball, the Gators were able to rally and stop their opponents from advancing further.
Head Coach Ashley Burke spoke on her team's play. "I told them you don't have to be perfect, but you have to work through it," Burke said. "I think they are very good at encouraging each other. Even when someone gets on, they are talking it through and making sure they know where to go next."
Piper Finley scored the Gators first run in the bottom of the 2nd off of a bunt by Claire Coulter.
Bulloch Academy's record improves to 7-1 on the season. They have won 3 straight games and have an opportunity to avenge their only loss of the season.
Up Next:
The Bulloch Academy Gators will take on the First Presbyterian Day Vikings on Thursday on the road. The Gators sole loss of the season came to the Vikings when they lost 9-2 on Saturday, August 17th.
"I don't even have to motivate them for it," Burke said. "That was our first real competition, it really showed them what it takes to step and who is ready to play for that day. That game motivated them in itself."
Burke said that her team wished they could have played them back to back right after their last meeting. "We learned a lot from that game," Burke said.
