CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman Bearcats were back home at Bill Shelton Field Friday night to host the second round of the state playoffs against Chelsea, but they weren’t able to settle things with the Hornets in just two games. The ‘Cats were held to just one hit in a 11-1 loss in game one, but they bounced right back to take game two from Chelsea 8-0 and force a game three. The Bearcats and Hornets will be back on the field Saturday at 2 p.m. with a spot in round three on the line.
Chelsea 11 – Cullman 1 (Game One)
Nothing went right for the Bearcats in game one. Chelsea led the way 3-0 after the first two innings and continued to add runs as the game went on. Will Bradberry scored on an error in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it a 6-1 game but that was all the ‘Cats could get on the board in game one. Hunter Brooks shot a single up the middle in the bottom of the sixth to finish with Cullman’s only hit in the loss. Tucker Apel tossed a scoreless inning for the Bearcats in game one as well.
Cullman 8 – Chelsea 0 (Game Two)
The Bearcats responded in a big way after a rocky performance in game one. Easton Peed got the start on the mound for Cullman and after dueling through four scoreless innings, the ‘Cats exploded in the top of the fifth.
Bradberry was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Brooks lifted a triple into center field to bring him home and put the Bearcats in front 1-0. An error allowed Brooks to score a few pitches later and Carter Gay scored on a fielder’s choice to make it a 3-0 game. After Zac Edwards scored on a fielder’s choice, two more Chelsea errors allowed three more runs to cross the plate for the Bearcats and gave Cullman a commanding, 7-0 lead going into the bottom half of the fifth.
Peed worked through two more innings and Hayden Stancil scored on a wild pitch in the top of the seventh to stretch the lead to 8-0. Peed wrapped up his shutout performance in the bottom of the seventh and the Bearcats defeated the Hornets 8-0 in game two to force a game three Saturday. Peed allowed just three hits in the win and struck out seven batters.
Brooks posted a hit and an RBI in the win and Zane Watwood and Riley Jackson each drove in a run as well. Game three between Cullman and Chelsea will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bill Shelton Field.
Copyright 2022 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
