Telegraph Staff Writer
After a preseason that saw the Tornadoes score 25 runs in two games, the bats continued to be on fire when the Bradford High School softball team opened the regular season with a 17-1, three-inning win over visiting Lake Weir on Feb. 21.
The Tornadoes, who were coming off a 7-5 loss to Bolles and a 20-2 win over Stanton Prep in the preseason, had 14 hits. Taylor Reddish drove in four runs, while four of her teammates drove in two each: Takeirra Bakken, Riley Blankenship, Allie Funderburk and Macey Padgett.
Bradford’s first three batters drew walks. After Blankenship scored on a wild pitch, Bakken hit a two-run triple. Padgett then stepped to the plate and launched the first pitch she saw over the fence in left field to put the Tornadoes ahead 5-0. Bradford scored another two runs in the inning off a single by Cassidy Spratlin and a double by Blankenship.
The Tornadoes scored seven of their eight second-inning runs with two outs. Summer Sutton hit a sacrifice fly to score the inning’s first run, which was followed by Blankenship’s second RBI double. Following an RBI single by Hannah McFarland, Reddish hit a triple into right field that scored two. Bradford then scored a run on an error before Funderburk drove in two on a single.
Reddish ended the game with a two-run single in the third inning that enforced the mercy rule.
McFarland went 3 for 3, while Blankenship, Funderburk, Reddish and Spratlin each went 2 for 2.
Spratlin got the start in the circle, giving up no runs on two hits and no walks in two innings. Blankenship pitched the final inning, giving up an unearned run on one hit and no walks.
Bradford hosts Old Plank tonight at 6:30 p.m. and will travel to play Ed White on Friday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. On Monday, Feb. 28, the Tornadoes host Yulee at 7 p.m.
