Bulloch Academy racked up a season-high eight hits on Monday night, but could only translate it into one run as the Gators fell to Robert Toombs Academy 4-1.
    “Once again today I think we saw some improvements,” said head coach Kyle Chambers. “We’re still not where we need to be in terms of leadership. We’re giving up runs because no one knows where to go with the ball.”
    The evening was marred by missed opportunities for Bulloch Academy. For example, down 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth junior Mattie Wynn Hendrix bunted safely to bring on the would-be tying run to the plate. The batter, junior Mattie Crooms, laid down a bunt of her own that was safely fielded by RTA for the first out.
    But Hendrix, who was already on the run to second, tried to stretch around to third on the initial throw. The Crusaders were more than ready for it, and threw Hendrix out for the second out of the inning. BA went from no outs and the tying run at the plate, to the bases empty and two outs in the blink of an eye.
    “Some of today was my fault,” Chambers said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have given a steal sign or bunt sign in certain situations. But give the credit to Robert Toombs, they made the plays they needed to make.”
    On another occasion in the bottom of the third, freshman Abby Newton singled and stole second with one out to give BA a runner in scoring position. A groundout would advance her to third, and if Newton has scored to would have cut the deficit 3-2 – but a fly out to centerfield would end a would-be promising inning.
    “I was proud of the way we put the bat on the ball today, we didn’t strike out but one time,” Chambers said.
    BA’s lone run came in the second inning of the game courtesy of junior Alivia Collins, who was a perfect 2-2 at the plate Monday night. Freshman Regan Ellis would single to begin the frame, then advance to second following a sacrifice bunt from freshman Janna Beth Marsh. Collins worked a 3-1 count before cracking a single into left field for her first RBI of the season.
    “This was my first game back, but I’ve been playing for a long time so it all just comes naturally to me when I get back in the box,” Collins said.
    Ellis would also come through with a multi-hit game going 2-3, while Crooms and Marsh each added hits as well. Despite the big hit count, BA would leave seven runners on base to end the game – only adding to the frustrations of what was the Gator’s closest game to date.
    On the mound for BA was freshman Baylee Howard, who threw a whopping 118 pitches in seven full innings of work. Of those 118 throws, 75 of them were strikes, four resulted in walks and another four were strikeouts.
    “With our senior pitcher nursing her throwing arm, we feel Baylee can give us the best innings right now,” Chambers said. “She has the best control on the staff. These past couple of game she’s really stepped up, now we just need the offense to step up and help her.”
    BA (0-4) is back on the diamond tonight as they travel to David Emmanuel Academy, with first pitch setor 4:30 p.m.