The Lady Bulldogs opened the softball season on the road at Madison Saturday. After a 1-1 first inning, the host Lady Cubs scored six unanswered runs to pull away to the 7-1 victory.
The Lady Bulldogs pushed a run across in the top of the first inning. Caitlyn Fox was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. Fox then stole second base. Ava Hilbert put down a sacrifice bunt and Fox came around to score on an error by Madison.
In the bottom of the first, Madison knotted the game at 1-1 on a sacrifice fly to Fox in center field.
Madison’s Laufeir was solid in the circle the rest of the way. Laufeir did not allow a hit through seven innings. She finished with no hits, one run, one hit by pitch and two walks while striking out 16.
Batesville’s Lily Lange and Molly Abel each drew a walk in the game. Fox and Lang both finished with one stolen base.
In the circle for Batesville, Grace Copley pitched 3.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five. Libby Stephens pitched 2.2 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and no walks while striking out one. Neither Batesville pitcher gave up an extra base hit.
