Ladies take first step towards district
By Kelly Griffith-Fields news@bullardnews.com

-- File photo by Kelly Griffith-Fields The Lady Panther's catcher Allison Burton makes the catch as pitcher Erin Kipp puts one past White Oak at a recent game.

While most students were relaxing over Spring Break the Lady Panthers traveled to Canton to open up district play and take their first step in becoming district champs with an 11-1 victory.

The Lady Panthers scored in the first inning with Erin Kipp reaching base and Allison Burton driving her in for the RBI.

The Panthers added 1 in the second; 4 in the third; 2 in the forth and fifth, and 1 in the sixth to give them an overwhelming win over the Lady Eagles.

Leading the Lady Panthers were Allison Burton who was 3-3 with a double and two RBI's; Lara Buysman was 3-4 and one RBI; Erin Kipp went 2-4 with one RBI; Kelsey Robertson and Mandy Gallard both went 1-3 with a RBI to help the Lady Panthers in the win.

Erin Kipp pitched the win for the Bullard ending the game with 13 strikeouts, allowing just 2 hits and no walks.

The Lady Panthers then took on the Lady Hornets, where they used a 8 run inning in the bottom of the sixth to defeat Athens.

Bullard was led by Kelsey Robertson who singled in the inning giving Bullard their first runs of the game and proved to be the game winning hit.

Several ladies helped in the victory, Valarie Roberts went 2-4 with two doubles; Allison Burton went 2-3 and two RBI's; Mandy Gillard went 2-4 as well.

Erin Kipp kept the Lady Hornets off the bases only allowing 3 hits in 7 innings while racking up 13 strikeouts and giving up 2 walks.

The girls then traveled once again, this time to Van.

The Lady Panthers no hit the Van Lady Vandals for the second time this year and this time in district play.

The game was scoreless going into the 6th inning again and the Lady Panthers scored 3 runs on 2 hits during the top half of the inning.

Valarie Roberts led off by drawing a walk then Erin Kipp singled and Alayna Kipp also walked loading the bases with senior catcher Allison Burton at the plate.

Burton using a 11 pitch at bat, finally drew a walk, scored the first run of the game and still left the bases loaded with freshmen Mandy Gillard stepping up and delivering a double up the middle to plate the final 2 runs for the Lady Panthers.

Erin Kipp once again proved herself against the Lady Vandals by not allowing a hit in 7 innings while only walking 2 hitters and striking out 9 batters.

The Lady Panthers finished up their Spring Break by starting district play with a record of 3-0 and taking the lead in district 14-3A.

The Lady Panthers record is 18-3-1 so far in the season.