Calallen’s quest for a fourth consecutive state softball championship came to an end with a 5-4 loss to Bullard in Game 2 of a Class 4A Division I state semifinal at Cy-Ranch.
Bullard used a four-run third inning after Calallen had staked itself to a three-run lead to vanquish the three-time reigning champions.
The Wildcats out-hit Bullard for the second consecutive game but left seven runners on base, and left the bases loaded twice.
Calallen jumped in front 2-0 after the first half inning and added a two-run home run from Kylie Butcher in the third, but Brooklyn Brannen held the Wildcats to one hit over the final four innings as Bullard advanced to its first state championship game in its third appearance in the semifinals.
Bullard won both games by a single run to advance to face the winner between Dumas and Richland in the state championship game May 29.
The Wildcats were led by Kristin Leal, who was 2 for 4 with a run. Audryna Almaraz and Kaylie Lopez each had an RBI and Kylie Butcher had a two-run home run for Calallen.
Jordyn Thibodeaux struck out eight in her final game for Calallen, allowing three hits in six innings.
Calallen ended its season 27-10-1.
GAME 2
BULLARD 5, CALALLEN 4
W — B. Brannen. L — J. Thibodeaux.
Highlights — Calallen, Thibodeaux 6 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 8 K, 1-3; K. Butcher 1-3, R, HR, 2 RBIs; K. Leal 2-4, R; A. Almaraz 1-4, RBI; K. Lopez 1-2, RBI.
Game 1
A three-run home run in the third inning by Brooklyn Brannen was the difference as Bullard earned a 3-2 win in Game 1 in a best-of-three Class 4A Division I softball series at Cy-Ranch.
Brannen hit the home run after a hit batter and a walk gave the Panthers two runners on.
Bullard had one other hit in the game as Calallen pitcher Jordyn Thibodeaux struck out 11 batters and allowed two hits with two walks.
The loss is the first for Calallen (27-9-1) since an 8-4 setback against Deer Park on Feb. 28.
The Wildcats had runners on second and third in the sixth inning with one out and pulled within 3-2 on a steal of home, but could not push the equalizer across.
Thibodeaux was 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI. Audryna Almaraz was had two hits in the game for Calallen.
BULLARD 3, CALALLEN 2
W — B. Brannen. L — J. Thibodeaux.
Highlights — Calallen, Thibodeaux 7 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 11 K, 2-2, 2B, RBI; A. Almaraz 2-3, 2B; A. Juarez 1-2, 2B.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Bullard sweeps Calallen softball in Class 4A Division I state semifinals
Reporting by Quinton Martinez, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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