The Bowie Lady Rabbits started off district play the best they could on Tuesday, traveling the two hours to Childress and picking up the win.
The Lady Rabbits won 15-9, as both teams traded big innings that swung the game in the middle innings.
First it was all Bowie. In the top of the first inning Season Eudey singled to center field and scored one of the two base runners on. The Lady Rabbits were able to load the bases, but could not capitalize on it as they led 1-0.
Despite Bowie walking the first three batters to load the bases, the team was able to work out of it. Two strike outs and a ground out to third base ended the scoring chance for the Lady Cats as the game moved into the second inning.
Alexa Holzer led off the inning with a double to left field. Two batters later, Chelsey Ketchum grounded out to second base to drive in the run. The next batter Carrington Davis was then able to drive in another run with a line drive to left field.
After Childress’ batters were sat down in order, the Lady Rabbits led 3-0 heading into the third inning.
Bowie failed to get anything going with the bat as it failed to get a base runner. On the flip side, the Lady Rabbits struggled through a big inning from the Lady Cats.
The first two batters were hit by a pitch and walked, before a double scored one run. The next two batters were retired, but things only got worse.
Three walks and a hit batter scored two more runs. A pitching change did not pay off as the next batter then hit a grand slam, putting Childress up 8-3 before Bowie could secure the third out.
Instead of moping about giving up so many runs and losing all of the momentum, the Lady Rabbits answered right away in the top of the fourth inning.
A drawn walk, a fielding error and a hit batter loaded the base for Bowie with no outs. Two drawn walks scored two runs. Davis singled to left field to drive in another run. Gracie Bentley drove in a run thanks to a sacrifice fly to left field. Hannah Love singled to center field to drive in two runs.
After the second out, a fielding error and a hit batter loaded the bases again. Kylie Fleming singled to right field to drive in two more runs before the Lady Rabbits grounded into a fielder’s choice for the final out. Bowie equaled the Lady Cats eight runs in the previous inning with eight runs of its own as the Lady Rabbits led 11-8.
Childress was able to get two base runners on in the bottom of the fourth inning. A wild pitch allowed both runners in scoring position, but Bowie was able to get a strike out for the third out as the game moved into the fifth inning.
Despite Eudey leading off with a single to right field, the Lady Rabbits could not capitalize on it. A sacrifice bunt moved her into position to score with two outs, but the next batter grounded out to the short stop for the final out.
A leadoff walk and a single put two base runners on for Childress again with one out. A passed ball allowed both base runners to advance into scoring position. Fortunately, Bowie was able to come through with another clutch strike out and a forced pop up to first base to get out of the fifth inning.
Alexa Holzer led off the sixth with a double to left field. Addie Farris hit a single to center field to put runners at the corners with no outs.
Coach Brant Farris dialed up a double steal and the runner on third was caught trying to steal home. This allowed Farris to reach third base, before the next batter lined out to first base for the second out.
Farris was able to score on a wild pitch to give the Lady Rabbits a 12-8 lead before a ground out to second base ended the inning.
The Lady Cats answered as the leadoff doubled on a fly ball to center field. A fielding error while fielding a bunt allowed the base runner to score and cut the lead to 12-9. Another walk put two base runners on and no outs.
Bowie was then able to force three straight outs to get out of the inning as the game moved into the final inning.
The Lady Rabbits started off the seventh strong. A leadoff walk and a single from Eudey put two runners on base with no outs. Next batter Bentley singled to center field to drive in a run.
After a passed ball moved both base runners into scoring position, Love grounded out to the pitcher, but it was enough to drive in a run as Bowie earned its first out.
Bailey Grant followed with a ground out to second base, but not before the runner on third scored to give the Lady Rabbits a 15-9 lead before the third out.
Childress would not go away. A fielding error and a hit batter put two base runners on with one out to threaten. Fortunately, pitcher Holzer was able to force the Lady Cats into the game ending double play.

To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.