Quitman’s Lady Bulldogs came up short to the Gilmer Buckeyes on Tuesday, Feb. 27, losing 6-4 at home.

The Bulldogs started off strong with the defense not allowing a score thanks to play from third baseman Ashley Davis and second baseman Peyton Kruckner, along with a strikeout from senior pitcher Kennedi Elmore.

Quitman took to bat with senior Addison Marcee starting things off with a triple. Fellow senior Hannah Holland bunted out, but Marcee was able to score on the play bringing Quitman to a 1-0 lead.

Gilmer began the second inning with a single, but Elmore took charge, getting the out with the next batter’s bunt. Elmore easily picked up two more outs, throwing strikeouts.

Quitman had a tougher time their second at bat. Chloe Jones got things started with a single to right field. Larkin Spears struck out, but Kori Hammond followed with a single to right, advancing Jones to second. Kruckner fooled out. Kylee Harris ended the inning with a strikeout leaving Jones and Hammond stranded. 

Gilmer began the third with a double toward the third base line. Kruckner was able to secure an out on the next play, but Gilmer scored. Gilmer had two more hits but left runners on base with a ground out to first baseman Allie Berry.

Marcee led off the bottom of the third with a single to second base. Marcee got caught stealing when Ashley Davis was at bat. Davis hit a single line drive and then scored when Elmore batted a single tying the game 2-2. 

Quitman pitching dominated the top of the fourth inning with three batters up, three batters down courtesy a strikeout and ground outs to Berry and Kruckner. 

A fielder’s choice ended Quitman’s bottom of the inning after walks to Kruckner and Marcee. Kruckner was stranded on third. 

Gilmer started the fifth with a single to left field, a walk, and another single that allowed Gilmer to score. Elmore struck out the next batter before giving up a walk to load the bases and a triple to score three more. Rattled, Elmore hit the next two batters before throwing a strikeout for the second out. The last out was a fly ball to Holland in left field. 

The Lady Bulldogs rallied but came up short. Davis grounded out to third. Elmore hit a single line drive toward third base. Jones singled on a fly to left, and Elmore advanced to second. Spears singled on a pop fly to left, advancing Elmore and Jones. Hammond hit a single to second, allowing Elmore to score while the other runners advanced. Jones scored on a passed ball. Spears got caught on the next pitch stealing third. Kruckner ended the inning with an out to the pitcher.

Both teams played their best defense in the sixth inning with each team getting the first three batters out. Gilmer’s last at bat ended with an out to Harris in the outfield and two strikeouts for Elmore. The Bulldogs were unable to produce in the bottom of the seventh inning and ended the night short losing 6-4.

The Lady Bulldogs finished the week 2-2 at the Commerce Big Cat Blowout tournament, including wins against Leonard and Onalaska.