Sabine bows out
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL/ CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

BI-DISTRICT CHAMPS, BUT BULLARD ADVANCES - Members of the Sabine High School softball team (left) listen as the national anthem is played prior to their UIL Class 3A area playoff game against Bullard. Below: pitcher Sandy James (1) makes a heads-up play at the plate to tag out a Bullard runner. James tagged out the runner at the right, as well. But Sabine lost the playoff game, 5-4.

They waited several hours to play their game on Friday night, wound up having to play it on Saturday, and the conclusion of the story wasn't so happy for the Sabine High School Lady Cardinals.

Sabine was eliminated from the UIL Class 3A playoffs on Saturday, losing a 5-4 decision to Bullard in the area (or second) round. The Lady Cardinals, though, have been the closest thing Sabine athletics has had to a success story in recent years, having put together a string of playoff appearances.

Bullard led 1-0 for much of the contest, then scored again in the fifth to go up 2-0. Sabine scored four runs late (one in the sixth inning and three in the seventh), but Bullard also got three seventh-inning runs, including a late two-run homer by Valarie Roberts, and held on for the victory.

Photos by John Niesner

On the mound, Sabine senior Sandy James finished her career with a nine-strikeout performance. She walked one and allowed eight hits. Bullard had four earned runs in the contest.

For Sabine, Cassie Headley had a single, as did Hayley Hayes, Lindsey Bryce and Shayla Gossett. Alex Easley had a single and scored a run. Cortnee Ryan doubled. James and Janell DeFreece each scored.

The game was supposed to have been played on Friday night, but the game before Sabine-Bullard - Hallsville and Rockwall Heath - went to 24 innings. Heath won.

That game went to 24 innings, forcing Sabne and Bullard to play Saturday.

Sabine had beaten Pleasant Grove in the first round. SHS is coached by Sarah Ricks- Creech.