Published: May 09, 2008 12:27 pm            

Bullard smacks Spring Hill, 6-1

By Don Wallace

sports@jacksonvilleprogress.com

TYLER — The Bullard bats awoke big time in the sixth inning.

The Bullard Panthers scored a 6-1 win over the Panthers of Spring Hill in Thursday night Class 3A area baseball action at Tyler’s Mike Carter Field.

Bullard rapped out a dozen hits, almost half of them coming in the sixth inning.

“We got things going. I think Stephen Langston beating out that infield hit got us going. It was a team effort; everyone contributed,” said Bullard head baseball coach Ronnie Dent.

Sophomore pitcher Nick Rumbelow got the win for Bullard as he allowed seven hits, struck out nine and walked one. Spring Hill left seven runners on base during the game.

The contest hinged on the action in the sixth inning. The game was deadlocked at 1 with Bullard coming to the plate.

The bats exploded with nine batters going to the plate, a total of five runs were scored, four coming after two outs were recorded.

On an unusual play, it appeared Austin Camp had reached on an errant throw to first base. But the umpire ruled Camp had turned toward second base and was tagged out.

Catcher Ryan Clarke hit a ringing double to the left field wall. Rumbelow followed with a single to right field to give Bullard a lead, 2-1. Cameron Agnew struckout for the second out. But the Bullard bats remained hot. Langston reached on an infield hit. Lance Anding laced a double to left field to plate two more runs. Jacob Whatley and Charlie Moore both slapped doubles. When the smoke cleared and the inning was over, Bullard had a 6-1 lead and just three more outs to record to secure the win.

Rumbelow gave up a single with one out in the seventh. He retired the next two batters in order as Bullard took the 6-1 win.

“Nick pitched well, especially in the first inning when he pitched out of a jam. It was his game and he knew it. He battled back and did an outstanding job. Everyone played well,” Dent said.

Dylan Brown was the losing pitcher for Spring Hill.

Bullard outfielder Ryan Wood injured his knee when he ran into the right field wall in the second inning. He was replaced by Koby Greene. It is unsure if Wood will be able to play in the remainder of the series.

The victory was the first in the best-of-three series between Bullard and Spring Hill. The second game will be played at noon Saturday at Hallsville High School. A third game, if needed, will be played 30 minutes after the conclusion of the second game at the same location.

Bullard is set to pitch lefty Whatley in the second game.

        

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