CHULA – Tiftarea had Bulloch Academy down, but not out.

            The Gators clawed back from a 5-0 deficit to take game one of a three-game series 7-6 over the Panthers in the Elite Eight of the GHSA Class AA state playoffs on the road Friday.

            The Gators cut it to 5-4 in the top of the sixth, but Tiftarea added insurance in the bottom of the frame by taking a 6-4 lead.

            Three Bulloch runs in the top of the seventh gave BA its first lead, and relief pitcher Taylor Burke, a senior who only faced nine batters and struck out four in his two innings of work, struck out the last two batters he faced to seal the win.

            Walker Blitch got the start, pitching five solid innings allowing three earned runs.

            Burke also went 2-for-4 from the plate, and two more seniors – Brian Atkinson (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Matthew Sapp (1-for-3, RBI) – helped provide the offensive spark.

            Atkinson, Win Lee and Davis Howell backed up their pitching by tracking down hard-to-read pop flies on the windy afternoon.

            The series resumes today at 11 a.m. If needed, game three will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.

            The game will be broadcast on ESPN 850AM.

Eagles Eliminated With 2-1 Loss To UNC Greensboro

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. –- The Eagles were eliminated from the Southern Conference Tournament with a 2-1 loss to UNC Greensboro Friday.

The Spartans (27-29) got a complete game by Amber Harrell (15-15). The senior held the Eagles to one run on seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

Junior Brianna Streetmon threw a strong performance, allowing just two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and a walk in seven innings. With the loss, Streetmon fell to 19-12 on the season.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh, the Eagles rallied with hits by sophomore Mackenzie Williams and senior Nina Iduate after senior Kelly Burnett reached on an error.

Burnett scored on Iduate’s single, but the comeback fell short when UNCG rightfielder Laura Olenderski made a running grab near the rightfield line to retire sophomore Marie Fogle  and end the game.

The Spartans scored their first run in the top of the third inning when Brittany Ausley touched home on a double-steal, and added what proved to be the winning run with an RBI-single by Kristen Gabel in the top of the seventh.

Iduate finished the day 3-for-4, setting a single-season Southern Conference record, hitting .450 on the season.

BA basketball camp

        Bulloch Academy head basketball coach Chandler Dennard invites all local and area boys and girls going into grades 2-5 to sign up for the 2010 Gator Basketball summer camp.

            The annual camp, conducted by Coach Dennard and several present BA basketball players, runs from June 1-4 from 9 a.m.-noon in the school’s gymnasium. This instructional opportunity will provide campers with basic basketball fundamentals in a relaxed, fun-fill environment. Campers will receive a camp t-shirt and opportunities to win awards in various skill-level competitions.

            The cost is $75 per camper if paid by June 1 and $85 after the deadline. To sign up or for more information, contact Coach Dennard (536-9386) or the school’s athletic department at 764-0715.

 BA soccer camp

        Bulloch Academy head soccer coach Will Avra invites local and area boys and girls going into grades 2-5 to sign up for the 2010 Gator Soccer Camp.

            The annual camp, conducted by Coach Avra and several varsity players, runs from June 8-11 from 9 a.m.-noon at Gator Alley. This instructional opportunity will provide campers with basic soccer skills as well as scrimmages, games and a camp t-shirt.

            The cost is $75 per camper until June 1 and $85 after the deadline date. To sign up or for more information, contact Coach Avra (690-3098) or the school’s athletic department at 764-0715.

FUNdamental football camp

          Bulloch Academy assistant head football coach Ronnie Hodges invites all local and area boys and girls going into grades 2-5 to sign up for the Gator FUNdamental football day camp.

            The annual camp, conducted by Coach Hodges and several present and past BA football players, runs from June 14-17 from 9 a.m. to noon on the school’s practice field behind the gymnasium.
            This instructional opportunity will provide campers with basic football fundamentals in a relaxed, fun-filled environment. Campers will receive a camp t-shirt and opportunities to win awards in various skill-level competitions.

            The cost is $75 per camper, if paid by June 1, and $85 after the deadline. For more information, contact Coach Hodges at 764-0718 or 587-5070 or the school’s athletic department at 764-0715.

BA cheerleading camp

        Bulloch Academy cheerleading coaches Kem Dennard and Kim Burnette invite all local and area boys and girls going into kindergarten through the fifth grade to sign up for the 2010 Gator Cheerleading Camp.

            The annual camp, conducted by the coaches and current varsity cheerleaders, runs from June 21-24 from 1-4 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium. This opportunity will provide campers with instruction on cheers, chants, stunts and much more as well as a camp t-shirt.

            The cost is $75 per camper until June 1 and $85 after the deadline date. To sign up or for more information, contact the school’s athletic department at 764-0715.