By Kyle Lehnick

Overpowering offense from the Bowie Lady Bulldogs overwhelmed the Hays Lady Rebels in a 13-1 defeat in five innings at the Hays Lady Rebel softball field. 

Both Hays and Bowie varsity softball squads came into Saturday’s matchup with a 4-2 record in district.

But Hays failed to bring seven base runners home while Bowie kept its runners moving around the bases. The Lady Bulldogs did so by hitting sacrifice fly balls and all around good hitting from the top to bottom of the lineup. 

Lady Rebel starting pitcher Kara Davis walked two hitters, with two more hit by a pitch within the first two innings. That, along with the Bulldogs’ ease at the plate, led to nine earned runs by the end of the top of the third. 

Hays then attempted a rally that was led off by Kaylee Lind and Davis base hits. Catcher Haleigh Madden advanced the runners with a sacrifice fly to center field. 

Lady Rebel shortstop Marty Martinez then knocked in Lind with a double. However the rally would end after an errant bunt that was caught by the Bowie third baseman. 

The Lady Rebels struggled at the plate the rest of the day though contact was being made. Clean fielding by Bowie along with solid pitching from sophomore Alexandra McLennan kept the home team at bay. 

Hays completely lost its grip on the Lady Bulldogs in the fifth inning. 

Bowie hit four doubles that brought in four more runs before a leash could be applied to its offense. Down 13-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Rebels needed to earn at least 3 runs to avoid getting run-ruled. 

Bowie relief pitcher Lyndsey Long had other plans and managed to close the game. Hays had 21 at-bats while Bowie made the most out of their 31. 

The Lady Rebels are slated to play Killeen Ellison at home in a non-district contest on March 24. The schedule thereafter will be the second half of district play.