Brentwood brought 17 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs in the top of the first inning for a 13-2 victory over Bulloch Academy in girls’ softball action Friday.
The Lady Eagles had nine hits, waited out two walks and took advantage of four BA errors for an unreal 11-0 lead right out of the gate.
But, after the disastrous opening, the Lady Gators settled down to allow just two runs to the Sandersville squad in the remaining four frames.
Bulloch (1-3) even showed a little spunk, scoring runs in the bottom of the first and the third and having multiple runners on base in four of the five innings.
In the bottom of the first, senior Kaleigh Sisolak walked, took second on Mattie Wynn Hendrix’s bunt and scored when Mikay Sands blasted a double to center.
After BHS added another run in the top of the third for a 12-1 game, the never-say-die Lady Gators answered.
Sands singled to center and went to second on Hannah Dasher’s fielder’s choice. Mackenzie Crooms ripped a single to center to drive in Sands.
The Lady Eagles added another run in the top of the fifth to solidify the mercy rule.
For the visitors, Anna Grace Boutelle was 2-for-2 with a walk and two RBI, Anne Bly McDonald was 2-for-3 with three RBI and Sydney Johnson was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Sands led Bulloch with two hits.
The Lady Gators are on the road next week, traveling to Louisville on Monday to face Thomas Jefferson Academy, Lyons on Tuesday to battle Robert Toombs and Waynesboro on Thursday to open region play against Edmund Burke Academy.
BA looking to rebuild
With four games in the books of the regular season, the Lady Gators of Bulloch Academy are still riding the proverbial "roller coaster" according to head coach Chandler Dennard.
The team (1-3) is going through an adjustment phase that comes with starting young talent.
Despite some growing pains, Dennard said he feels confident in his team's ability to get better as the season progresses.
"This is kind of what we expected. We've played good in a couple of games, and there's been a few games where we struggled on defense and on offense," Dennard said. "When you're as young as we are that's to be expected. So far it's a little bit of a roller coaster ride."
The Lady Gators started the season with a 2-0 loss to Milledge Academy, then bounced back for a 7-5 win over Westfield before dropping two straight.
BA graduated four seniors last year, leaving a few gaps in the lineup.
"We returned both our pitchers from last year and our catcher was an all-state player last year and she's off to a good start this year," Dennard said. "We just have to fill in the gaps and get some of these girls up to speed."
Dennard said the Lady Gators are starting two eighth graders along with a few freshman. The Gators head coach said once some of the younger players adjust to high school softball, the team will become a formidable opponent.
One of the players expected to lead the charge for the young crop of players will be returning starter and all-state catcher Kaleigh Sisolak.
Sisolak said the team just needs to work hard everyday at getting better and improving as a unit.
"I don't want anyone to look at us on the schedule and think we're going to be an easy win," Sisolak said after a tough loss to Brentwood Friday night. "We're going to get better as the season goes on and I'm looking forward to it."
Sisolak has an uncanny prowess at the plate. Last year she went 45 at bats without striking out. This year she plans on going the entire season without getting rung up.
"For the team, I just want us to get better. Doesn't mean we have to win state,but we want to get better each game," Sisolak said. "Right now some of the girls haven't played at this level. There's faster pitches and a lot more movement, but once they get some experience,we'll get better."
