The Bradford softball team will be heading to the Babe Ruth Softball state tournament in two weeks as District 3 champions.
Cadence Hodges tossed a one-hitter and the Bradford offense scored early and put the game away in the fifth in a 10-0 mercy-rule win against Union County in the 12 and Under championship game.
Bradford, which defeated Union County 18-2 in the winners’ bracket on Friday, scored three runs in the first inning and two runs in the second in building a commanding 5-0 lead.
Chrissy Samons had three hits, while Cassidy Spratlin and Takeirra Bakken each had two hits and two runs scored for Bradford, which 4-0 to win the title.
But it was Hodges who set the tone. She only allowed one base runner, a 5th inning lead-off single by Union County catcher Starla Vaughn.
However, despite missing the perfect game, she was nearly flawless in the last two innings. Hodges, who struck out four, threw only four pitches in the fourth inning and only five pitches in the fifth inning.
2017 District 3 Champions & Runners-Up:
16U – West Putnam (Champions), Keystone Heights (Runners-Up)
14U – Palatka (Champions), West Putnam (Runners-Up)
12U – Bradford (Champions), Union County (Runners-Up)
10U – Palatka (Champions), Santa Fe (Runners-Up)
8U – Keystone Heights (Champions), Santa Fe (Runners-Up)
6U – Santa Fe (Champions), Fort White (Runners-Up)
