Telegraph Staff Writer
A four-run fourth inning helped the Bradford High School softball team cut into an 8-1 deficit, but the Tornadoes couldn’t overtake visiting Columbia in the end, losing 9-6 on March 14.
Columbia scored four runs in the top of the first. The Tigers hit four consecutive singles, with the fourth plating a run. Two runs were forced in on a walk with the bases loaded and a hit batter with the bases loaded. An error allowed Columbia to score its fourth run.
The Tigers led 6-1 before scoring two runs on a double in the fourth.
Bradford (5-2) made it a three-run game in the bottom of the fourth. Takeirra Bakken hit a home run to lead off the inning. Allie Funderburk and Macey Padgett hit back-to-back singles before Cassidy Spratlin walked to load the bases. Amber Wynn hit a single to score two runs and later scored herself on a passed ball.
Bakken was hit by a pitch to lead off the Tornadoes’ half of the fifth. She advanced to third on a ground out by Funderburk before scoring on a ground out by Padgett. Bradford put two runners on when Spratlin singled and Wynn was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout ended the inning.
Columbia added the game’s final run on a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.
The Tornadoes loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but failed to score. Hannah McFarland reached on a fielder’s choice, followed by Taylor Reddish reaching on a single. Funderburk hit a two-out single before a strikeout ended the inning.
Wynn drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, but Summer Sutton lined out to first baseman Kimber Long, who, with Wynn taking off toward second, stepped on the bag to end the game on a double play.
Wynn finished with two RBI, while Bakken, Padgett and Reddish each had one.
Funderburk was the only batter with more than one hit, going 2 for 3.
The Tornadoes will travel to play Bishop Snyder on Friday, March 18, at 6 p.m.
