CULLMAN, Ala. – After a blowout game one win over Southside followed by a stunning loss in game two, Cullman hosted the Panthers for a series-deciding third game on Saturday afternoon. Like the first game, the Bearcats struck quickly and built a lead. In the bottom of the fifth, designated hitter Jonah Inman slapped a grand slam to center field to end the game and the series with an 11-0 win.
Taking the mound for the Bearcats was Landyn Henry, who had not previously thrown in the series. With a fresh arm, Henry blanked the Panthers, throwing five scoreless innings where he only gave up three hits while striking out four batters.
Backing up his performance on the mound, Cullman’s bats gave Henry quick run support. In the top of the first, two of the first three batters made it on base. Cross Bowen, batting fourth, lived up to his cleanup spot in the lineup by driving home a run with a single to open scoring. Next up, Colt Colvard knocked a grounder to the outfield that scored one, and an errant throw allowed Bowen to touch home. On a pick off attempt, another error allowed Colvard to score to make it 4-0 Cullman after just one inning.
In the bottom of the third, Bowen lead off with a line drive triple and made it home just moments later thanks to a grounder from Colvard to make it 5-0.
After a scoreless fourth, the Bearcats lit up Southside’s starting pitcher Abe Martin, leading off the inning with three hits and a walk. An error on a grounder from Bowen and a single from Jake Weathersby scored two more, then, with bases loaded, one out and seven runs on the board, Inman ended the game and series with his grand slam.
Inman finished 2-4 from the plate with four RBIs and one run scored, and Bowen went 3-3, highlighted by his triple.
Cullman will move on to round two to face 2025 6A State Champion Hartselle (25-11 this season), who defeated Buckhorn 14-8 and 6-3 in their round one matchup.
