BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School scored seven runs in the first two innings en route to a 14-4, six-inning win over visiting Interlachen on April 10.
Takeirra Bakken, Madison Highland, Addyson Hinds, Kirsten Hodges, Masey Padgett and Kallie Yowell each drove in two runs as the Tornadoes (5-6) won for the third time in four games.
Bakken, who went 2 for 3, hit a solo home run as part of a four-run first inning, which also included a two-run single by Highland.
Hodges, who went 3 for 4, and Padgett, who went 2 for 3, each hit an RBI single in a three-run second that put the Tornadoes ahead 7-1.
A solo homer by Padgett in the fourth inning made it an 8-1 game.
The Rams cut into the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth. Saige Culpan and Baileigh Riddley hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Culpan scored on a Jasmine Smith double, while bases-loaded walks forced in another two runs.
Bradford responded by almost enacting the mercy rule in the bottom of the inning, scoring five runs to go up 13-4. With two outs, Rylie Blankenship singled. After Bakken was intentionally walked, Padgett drew a walk to load the bases. A Hinds single scored two runs before Hodges and Yowell hit back-to-back doubles, with Hodges’ hit driving in one run and Yowell’s hit driving in two.
The Tornadoes did put an early end to the game in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and nobody on, Blankenship drew a walk. After stealing second, she scored on a Bakken double.
Blankenship and Hinds each finished 2 for 4 at the plate.
Starting pitcher Keegan Yowell gave up five hits through 4.1 innings, striking out three. Kallie Yowell threw 1.2 innings of relief, giving up no runs on one hit. She had two strikeouts.
Bradford went 1-1 the previous week, which began with a 16-2, five-inning win at Bishop Snyder on April 4.
The Tornadoes scored eight runs in the first inning, which featured a three-run triple by Kallie Yowell, a run-scoring double by Bakken and run-scoring singles by Hodges and Padgett.
A seven-run fifth inning included an RBI triple by Padgett, RBI doubles by Bakken and Highland and an RBI single by Hodges.
Kallie Yowell finished with three RBI, going 3 for 4, while Hodges had a perfect game at the plate, going 4 for 4 with two RBI.
Bakken, who went 2 for 4, and Padgett, who went 3 for 5, also had two RBI each, while Blankenship, Highland, Hinds and Kassady Arnette each had one RBI.
Starting pitcher Keegan Yowell pitched two innings, giving up one hit. Blankenship pitched the final three innings, giving up two hits and striking out three.
On April 7, host Yulee scored two runs in the fifth to defeat the Tornadoes 6-4.
Bradford trailed 4-1 entering the third. Blakeleigh Smith and Blankenship hit back-to-back singles to start the inning, setting the stage for Bakken’s three-run homer — a 1-2 pitch she drove over the fence in left field.
Bakken and Blankenship each went 2 for 4.
The Tornadoes host Orange Park on Friday, April 14, at 6 p.m. They then play home games against Gainesville on Monday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. and against Columbia on Tuesday, April 18, at 7 p.m.
