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 to put three-time defending champions Calallen in an 0-1 hole 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 Patriots to 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 who will have to win Games 2 and 3 to return to Red & Charline McCombs Field next week to defend their state championship.
Game 2 is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at Cy-Ranch.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Early home run upends Calallen softball in Game 1 of state semifinals
Reporting by Quinton Martinez, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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