Bullock homers twice in Helena’s 5-3 win over Calera

Published 5:18 pm Friday, April 12, 2019

By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – It was a happy senior day for players on the Helena High School varsity softball team on Thursday, April 11, as the Huskies picked up their second area win in one week by defeating Calera 5-3.

Helena picked up five runs on 10 hits with Lexie Bullock having a great day at the plate. The Huskies were also led by senior starting pitcher Avery Barnett, who pitched her second complete game in one week against area opponents Pelham and Calera.

Calera jumped out in front early in the top of the first inning thanks to a solo home run to make it 1-0, but the lead would be short-lived as Helena would respond in the next half inning.

In the bottom of the first inning, Helena would put together a two-out rally thanks to back-to-back singles to make it 3-1 Huskies.

One inning later, Helena extended the lead to 4-1 thanks to a leadoff home run by Bullock.

Bullock didn’t stop there. She stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning and delivered her second homer of the game to left field to give Helena a 5-1 lead. Bullock would finish the game 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored.

With the Eagles trailing 5-1 heading to the top of the seventh inning, Barnett remained in the circle to try to close out the game.

After recording the first two outs, Calera hit back-to-back RBI singles to cut Helena’s lead to 5-3. With another runner in scoring position, Barnett would get the win by getting the Eagles to ground out to end the game.

Barnett pitched a complete game where she allowed just six hits and struck out nine batters.

Helena improved to 3-2 in area play with one area game remaining in the regular season against Chelsea.