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Sulphur Springs’ Crimson Bryant seen throwing in earlier action this season. Bryant had an amazing performance in Thursday’s game one win against Crandall, going full seven innings without allowing a run. Bryant allowed just three hits in the game and racked up 21 strikeouts. Staff photo by Tyler Lennon
Records 21 strikeouts
NEVADA, Texas- The Sulphur Springs Lady Cats traveled to Community High School Thursday to kick off their three-game set against Crandall in the Area round of the playoffs. Sulphur Springs entered the round with some momentum after sweeping Lufkin last weekend in the Bi-District round.
Crimson Bryant was the starting pitcher for Sulphur Springs and was completely locked in from the beginning, striking out the side in order in the top of the first. Bryant did the exact same thing in the top of the second and the top of the third getting all six batters to strike out swinging.
The first hit of the game, for either team, came in the bottom of the third when Parris Pickett kicked things off with a lead-off single. Pickett made it to second base but was eventually left stranded.
Bryant kept her perfect outing going in the top of the fourth, once again striking out the side in order, retiring the first 12 batters she faced all via the strikeout.
The bats came to life for Sulphur Springs in the bottom of the fourth when Jadyn Harper led the inning off with a single. Grace Magnuson followed by reaching base on an error, advancing Harper to third base.
Addison Caddell was next with an RBI single, driving in Harper to give Sulphur Springs a 1-0 lead. Bryant followed by giving herself some run support, hitting a two-RBI double to push the lead to 3-0.
Bryant kept her streak alive in the top of the fifth, once again striking out the side in order, now retiring all 15 batters she faced on strikeouts. Bryant also struck out the first two batters of the sixth inning, pushing her streak to 17 batters before allowing three consecutive singles. With the bases loaded and two outs, Bryant got out of the jam, picking up her 18th strikeout of the night.
Entering the top of the seventh with a three-run lead, Bryant needed just three more outs to finish her complete-game shutout. She did so the exact same way she’d recorded outs all game, by striking out the side in order.
Bryant got the win, going the full seven innings without allowing a run. Bryant allowed three hits and racked up 21 strikeouts.
Bryant also led the way offensively, going 1-for-3 with two RBI. Cadddell had the other two RBI as she went 2-for-3 with one run scored. Harper and Pickett had the only other hits for Sulphur Springs.
Coverage of the remainder of the series between Sulphur Springs and Crandall will be published in Wednesday’s edition of the News-Telegram.