By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Lady Bulldog pitcher Casey Chandler fired a four-inning no-hitter as Priceville and Falkville opened the 2005 softball season.
The no-hitter is the first in the three-year history of the Priceville softball program.
Priceville 16, Falkville 0
Chandler struck out the side in the opening inning, fanned two more batters in the second and third innings and had one more strikeout in the fourth inning for a total of eight. Chandler's no-hitter came at the expense of a team that posted a .339 batting average in 2004.
Chandler said she wasn't aware she was throwing a no-hitter until the third inning. Since the accomplishment, she has set her goal to throw a perfect game before she completes her Lady Bulldog career.
Chandler, who threw 213 innings in 2004 and compiled a 9-12 record with 86 strikeouts, is a sophomore.
She has been on the Lady Bulldog varsity since her eighth grade year.
It was her first no-hitter since she began playing softball on travel teams at the age of 10.
Priceville scored 12 runs in the opening inning to put the game out of reach.
At the plate, Jessica Hopper paced the Lady Bulldogs with two singles and a home run, while Jessica Kennedy had two hits and scored twice.
Caitlin Williams had one hit and scored three times, while Sara Parker had one hit and scored one run.
Sumer Boyd had one hit, one stolen base and scored a run, while Tiffany Bracken had one hit, two walks and scored twice.
Chandler added a double and scored once, while Heather Blackwood scored one run.
Brooke Hill took the loss for Falkville.
Priceville 10, Decatur Heritage 0
Chandler struck out 11 in five innings and allowed only one hit, while walking two to improve to 2-0 on the season with both wins coming by shutouts.
Jessica Hopper had a home run while going two-for-four with two RBIs and scored three runs.
Caitlin Williams was two-for-three with a RBI and two runs scored.
Chandler scored once, while Sara Parker scored one run and had two RBIs.
Jessica Kennedy tripled and scored, while Sumer Boyd had a single and scored.
Tiffany Bracken walked and scored once. Boyd, Emily Childers and Heather Blackwood had one single each.