JASPER, Ala. – With the end of the regular season rapidly approaching, Cullman looked to continue an incredible season (34-7-1) on the road against area rival Jasper on Tuesday night. After scoring two across the first three innings, the Bearcats blew the game open in the fifth and went on to win 10-0 in a six-inning game.
Taking the mound for the Bearcats was Dracen Bates, usually known for her bat and fielding skills, but also an excellent pitcher. For the Vikings, pitcher Lilly Banks started.
Cullman struck early, as Hattie Graham sent a ball into center field to get on base as the second bat in the Bearcats’ order. Just one batter later, Sam Johnson sent her home with another ball to center field that was dropped, giving the Bearcats a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third, Abby Maples led off with a liner to center, then Johnson made it to second on a double to left field. Soon after, a Bates sac-fly sent Maples across home plate to give Cullman a 2-0 lead.
After blanking the Vikings yet again, Bates continued to help put runs on the board for Cullman. Leading off again, Maples singled, then Johnson hit one into right field to put runners on the corners for the Bearcats. Bates stepped up to the plate and sent a laser into center field that cleared the bases to put Cullman up 4-0, then touched home plate herself after a Kynlei Storey single to make it 5-0.
The top of the sixth eventually sealed the area rivalry win for the ‘Cats. After Maples walked and Graham singled to open the inning, Bates drove in yet another run with a double that scored Maples. Reese Hopper stepped to the plate next and smacked a fly ball to center that was dropped allowing Bates to make it home. Then, the final scoring play of the game came on a hard grounder from Leighton McGriff that scored Hopper to make it 10-0 Bearcats.
Leading Cullman in scoring was Bates, who went 2-4 with two doubles that drove in a total of four runs in addition to crossing the plate twice herself. Leading the game in hits was Johnson with three including one double.
On the mound, Bates finished with just three hits, zero earned runs and four strikeouts in six innings.
The Bearcats’ record improved to 35-7-1 with the win, and they’ll return to action on Thursday against Brewer.
