Five games in six days is a tough task for any team.
But if Monday’s game against Robert Toombs Christian Academy was any indication, the Bulloch Academy Lady Gators are ready for the challenge.
    Bulloch drubbed the Lady Crusaders 12-0 in four innings during the non-region contest in a tune-up for two big Region 4-AAA games later in the week.
    “We got everybody in to play defense and get an at-bat,” said BA head coach Chandler Dennard. “We wanted to use this as a tune-up game as we get ready for the meat of our region schedule and the region playoffs.”
    The Lady Gators (12-2 overall and 2-0 in region play) battle Region 4-AAA foe Pinewood at home this afternoon and Trinity Christian School in Dublin Thursday.
    “The last time Pinewood came to town,” remembered Dennard, “it cost us a shot at the region title. We haven’t forgotten that.”
    On Saturday, BA travels to Sandersville to battle non-region opponent Piedmont Academy and Brentwood.
    Against RTCA, the BA girls pounded out eight hits, waited out seven walks and capitalized on two Lady Crusader errors for the run-rule victory.
    “A couple of weeks ago, we hit the ball pretty well for a few games,” said Dennard. “But in the last two games, we haven’t done that, especially in key situations. I wanted the girls to swing away, including giving them the green light on a 3-0 count. We want to be swinging the bat.”
    BA starting pitcher Madelyn Vickery got the win but she got off to a rocky start, giving up two singles and a double in the top of the first inning before settling down. Those were RTCA’s only hits of the game.
    In the bottom of the inning, Bulloch pushed across four runs on two hits, four walks, a hitter batter and a wild pitch.
    Mary Margaret Reeves led off with game with an infield slap hit. After Page Spence was hit by a pitch and Taylor Collins drew a base-on-balls to load the diamond, Haley Burke was issued a free pass and Reeves trotted home. Ashlee Lanier ripped a single to left center to plate Spence. Collins scored on a wild pitch and Burke raced home on a Danielle Atkinson fielder’s choice.
    In the second, Bulloch netted six runs on five hits and two RTCA errors to take a 10-0 lead.
    Atkinson and Marianna Peebles blasted doubles, Collins, Burke and Lanier singled, Spence was hit by a pitch and Ashley Burke reached on an error.
    Lauren Dennard came on to pitch in the third as Bulloch substituted freely and moved players around. The junior hurler faced six batters and got four strikeouts.
    Bulloch managed just one hit in the third but scored two runs in the fourth to get the run-rule.