Softball seniors go out with huge win

Lady Bulldogs go on offensive rampage in 13-1 win over Anclote

The Lady Bulldogs scored eight runs in the first inning en route to a 13-1 win over Anclote in the final home game of the 2021 season.

The offensive onslaught in the opening stanza saw the Bulldogs capitalize on eight hits and a pair of Anclote errors. Catcher and leadoff hitter Emma-Lei Buchanan had a double and a three-run triple in the inning. She finished with three hits and two runs scored and three RBIs. Bella Mathis went 2-for-3 scoring a pair of runs.

Bulldog pitcher Amberlyn Davis was comfortable on the mound with an early lead and finished her four innings of work allowing just four hits, striking out five and giving up a run. Davis added a pair of doubles and scored twice.

In the final inning of the game shortened by the 10-run mercy  rule, sophomore Cloey Martin came on in relief allowing one hit in her varsity debut.

A dominant victory was the perfect way to send off seniors Laila Huffman, Aleah Killebrew and Gisele Navarra in their final game on their home field. Huffman went three-for-three and scored three runs. Navarra with 2-for-3 and scored a run. Killebrew had a hit and scored a run.

“It took a minute when I got here to realize that wow, this our last home game,” said Navarra.

The three seniors have been teammates since their days in Little League and all through high school.

“We’ve grown up together and playing our last home game together is just hard to come to terms with,” Huffman said.

With just three seniors and a few juniors, the Bulldogs are incredibly young this season and have a bright future. Huffman, Killebrew and Navarra have been the mentors to the younger players

“You have to be a leader and show them what they need to do when we leave and set the standards,” Killebrew said.

Huffman added, “We have a pretty good team this season. Everyone has stepped up, even with all of the freshmen.”

The Lady Bulldogs have had a tumultuous week. It started last weekend when a storm destroyed the roof their dugout and equipment room. Assistant coaches and three varsity starters have been quarantined as a precaution

“This is a good ending to the crazy storm of a week,” said head coach Kristen Dumont.

The Lady Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday on the road against Pasco for the season finale. The Bulldogs and Pirates had a nine inning battle in the season opener at Zephyrhills with Pasco taking a 10-8 win. The Bulldogs are looking for redemption.

“Wednesday is our focus. We’re hungry for that win,” Dumont said. “That is the final game of the regular season and we really want that one.”

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