BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Bradford High School’s softball team fell behind 8-0 in the second inning and ultimately lost 8-5 to host Gainesville on April 15.
Gainesville, which is fifth in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 5A power rankings, hit a two-run homer and a two-run double as part of an eight-run second inning that also saw batters draw two bases-loaded walks. Two runs also scored on errors.
The Class 3A Tornadoes trailed 8-1 before scoring three runs in the sixth. Addyson Hinds hit a one-out single, but was put out at second when Emy Crawford ground into a fielder’s choice. Kallie Yowell singled, followed by Madison Highland drawing a walk to load the bases. Tinsley Higginbotham drove in two runs on a single, while an error on a Carly Beggs single allowed another run to score.
Higginbotham finished with two RBI, while Crawford and Keegan Yowell each had one.
Beggs and Hinds went 2 for 3 and 2 for 4, respectively.
Bailey Smith pitched four innings of relief, allowing no runs, five hits and no walks. She had three strikeouts.
Bradford entered the game off an 11-0 loss to Gainesville on April 10 in Starke.
The Tornadoes had no hits and struck out 13 times against Gainesville pitcher Leanna Bourdage.
Bradford travels to play Class 3A Interlachen on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. and will host Class 1A Union County on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. The Tornadoes then host Class 3A Baldwin on Monday, April 22, at 6 p.m. and Class 3A Suwannee on Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m.
