Those who got to the game late may have missed it. The scoring in Thurday’s area playoff contest at Nacogdoches High School was complete after the bottom of the first. Bullard took five runs in the frame, and eventually the game over Livingston, 5-0.
A leadoff double by Rudy Marquez in the first inning looked promising for the Lions, but a Ryder Surrency base hit later would not be enough to bring him in.
Bullard also led off with a double, was hit by a pitch, and then an error allowed the first run. Another double drove in two more. A single made it 4-0 before a Panther had been retired. Lion hurler Landon Hodges settled in and produced two strikeouts, but a wild pitch brought home a fifth run.
Hodges threw well the remainder of the contest, tossing five more scoreless frames. In all, he struck out six, walked two and allowed four hits. Three of the runs were earned.
Bullard lefthander Kage Korenek was excellent on the mound. He also tossed six innings, allowing just four hits and a walk, while striking out 11.
Marquez was the only Lion to reach base more than once, going 2-for-4.
