On March 5th, 2024, the Bullard Knights JV team defeated the Liberty Patriots 9-1. The game was played at Liberty’s home field in Bakersfield, California. The Knights traveled from Fresno, California, 2 hours away. To start the game, the Knights batted first, in which the first three batters all got out. The Patriots started the game off with a fly ball to right field and Brayden Love made a spectacular catch. Followed by two strikeouts to end the inning.
To lead off the second inning Caleb Peters hit a single up the middle, followed by another single by Drew Frantz. With the bases loaded, Samuel Makely struck out swinging as well as Rocco Wass to end the inning. The Patriots did not score in their at-bats either.
In the top of the third inning, Love got walked and made it to second base. Followed by a walk by Bane, Ian Vollhardt bunted them over in which Love attempted to go home. He was thrown out on a questionable call. Lucas Johnson hit a single to score Bane and bring up the four hitter Peters. He hit another single to right center scoring Vollhardt and advancing Johnson to third. Elijah Sanchez sac-flied to center, scoring Johnson at home making the score 3-0. A passed ball at home scored Makely and Wass walked. Love was up and struck out swinging out of his shoes. Liberty responded by scoring a run after a bad throw to second base.
The game was loud and chirpy on both sides of the field, firing up all the players. Frantz started off with a double and would eventually score after Makley walked and two passed balls. The next two batters all got out. Eddie Sandate, who pitched 5 innings, only allowed 1 run for the Knights. He was on point that game. To start the Knight’s last at bats, Love flew out to second, Bane hit a single to left center, Vollhardt hit a single over second base, Johnson also hit a single scoring Bane, Peters hit a single scoring Vollhardt, and could not score anymore. Bringing the total to 9-1. Jesse Valles came in to pitch the last inning and he absolutely shoved. Back-to-back-to-back strikeouts ending the game with the Knights on top.