The Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets got a bit of a scare out of Haralson County in game one of the opening round of the state softball tournament, but pitcher Alana Barnard got tired of sweating out a 1-0 lead and launched a three run homer to give SEB a 4-0 win in game one, and the Jackets went on to take the nitecap 6-2 on the strength of two Delanie Thames home runs.
“We knew this wouldn’t be your typical fifth seed coming in, and we knew after losing last year not to take anyone for granted,” said Southeast Bulloch coach Aimee Civalier. “We didn’t even look ahead to see who we may play in the send round, because we knew we had to focus on Haralson County. We played solid defensively, Alana pitched great, and we got the hits and runs when we needed to.”
The Jackets were able to start the scoring in the second. A single by Leah ? was followed by a walk to Shylah Thames, and then a Mallory Lewis single loaded the bases. Delanie Thames then came through with an RBI single to left for a 1-0 lead. The Jackets were unable to scratch through for another run as an interference call at short, and a ground out ended the inning.
Barnard was solid throughout the game on the mound going seven innings, scattering six hits while striking out nine.
The Rebels had a few chances, but left two runners on in the fourth and fifth inning, and left a runner on in the first, sixth, and seventh as well.
Clinging to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth Delanie Thames doubled to left, Gracie Burgin then walked, setting the stage for Barnard who drove a 1-2 pitch deep to right center and over the fence for the home run.
“That home run was huge for us,” Civalier said. “It was a tight one run game, and that home run gave us some breathing room, and allowed us to relax a little and not be so tense.”
Game two
The Jackets got the bats going in game two as Delanie Thames hot a pair of home runs, and Megan Lee added a couple of hits and a pair of RBi’s, while Barnard continued her dominance on the mound.
“We felt like we hit the ball a little better in the second game,” Civalier said. “When we got down 1-0 nobody felt defeated, Delanie hits the home run, and then we added a couple more runs to quickly take the lead back, that was big too.”
The Rebels actually took a short lived 1-0 lead on a solo home run by _ , but the Jackets answered with a solo blast to left by Thames in the top of the third to tie the game at 1-1. The Jackets added a pair of runs as Lee drove home Gracie Burgin with a single to left, and Maddie Grams later scored on a fielder's choice by Shylah Thames for a 3-1 lead.
Delanie Thames added another solo home run in the seventh, this one a towering shot that went off the Yellow Jacket scoreboard in left for a 4-1 lead. Lee added another RBI with double down the line, and Fields finished things off with an RBI single.
Barnard ended up giving up only one run in 14 innings with 19 strikeouts. Haralson County left 14 runners on base in the two games.
“After the first game we weren’t sure whether to pitch Alana again, but she said she felt fine,” Civalier said. “She said she wanted to take the ball, and as long as things stayed close we were going to stay with Alana.”
The Jackets now move on to the sweet 16 and will play next Wednesday in Brooklet against a yet to be determined opponent.
