GDW Analysis:
A three run deficit after a half inning gave Cullman softball motivation to display an awesome hitting attack in the last of the first against Arab Thursday afternoon.
By the time the first was done, Cullman delivered 21 runs on 14 hits and would run away from Arab 23 to 3 to go 14 & 2 on the season and 4 & 0 on the home surface.
The 21 runs were a season high for Drew Bryson's Lady 'Cats as were the 23 with the game over by the run rule in the 3rd.
Down 3 to 0 when they went to hit in their half of the 1st, the Lady 'Cats got the bases loaded quickly on a single by Abby Maples, a walk to Hattie Graham and a single by Samantha Johnson.
Dracen Bates would be the first to produce runs batted in. Bates singled in Maples and Graham. A walk to Reese Hopper had the bases again full of Cullman runners.
Kyneli Storey struck for a 2 run single in sending Cullman ahead at 4 to 3.
RBIs were credited to Maples, Graham with bases loaded walks. A little later, Hopper delivered a 2 run single, Storey singled home a run and Haylee Little blasted a base hit to score a pair and make it 14 to 3.
Graham's next plate appearance resulted in a 2 run double. Bates cracked a 2 run homer to end the hit parade and 21 runs after one inning on 14 hits.
The Cullman 2nd accounted for two runs when Maples doubled with one out and Graham ripped a homer down the left field line.
By the end of the 2nd, Cullman tallied 23 runs on 17 hits, home runs from Bates and Graham.
Maples scored four times from her leadoff position as she went 3 for 3 with 2 singles, a double.
Graham, batting 2nd, tallied 5 runs batted in with a double, home run and 2 walks.
Bates also displayed a good stroke for having 5 RBIs and was the winning pitcher.
She allowed Arab 0 runs after the first when they scored 3 on her with 3 hits. She gave up 4 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts.
The game was over at 5:58 p.m.
The first inning was played in an amazing 1 hour, 2 minutes with 24 runs combined on 17 hits.
Bryson's Lady 'Cats now prepare to go to Jefferson County Tuesday for a 6A Area 13 assignment with Mortimer Jordan.
Cullman is 1 & 0 in area play.
Photo of Cullman runner Abby Maples heading home to score in a game at Corner High School February 19.
Photo courtesy of Soulmate Snaps.
