Bulls eliminated

FULTON, Ky. -- The Sikeston Bulls' season came to an end on Wednesday night with a 5-4 loss at top-seeded Fulton in the second round of the KIT League playoffs.

The Bulls, who were swept in two games of the best-of-three series, held an early lead at 3-1, but the Railroaders managed to tie the game and, then, eventually take the lead for good in the seventh inning at 5-3.

Sikeston (18-32) closed the gap to 5-4, but left runners stranded at second and third on a called strike three in the eighth.

"That was a very tough call that went against us," said Sikeston coach Jamie Puckett. "It could've easily gone our way and then we would've had the bases loaded. But even with that, we still struck out way too much with runners on base."

Sikeston, seeded fifth, stranded 10 baserunners in the game.

Sikeston's Michale Sadler bunds the ball.

Sikeston's Michale Sadler bunds the ball.

Bulls hurler Lance Young threw seven innings in taking the loss. He allowed four runs off eight hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. The Bulls' defense was sharp behind him, committing no errors.

"We played a good game -- they were the No. 1 seed and we just came up short," said Puckett. "That's how baseball goes. We were right there the past two nights. They're the best team in the league and they showed it. They found a way to win. That's a good baseball team."

Sikeston also hit the ball well, collecting 16 hits led by Dominic Gregali's 4-

for-4 day with two runs and a stolen base.

Scott Hudgins (2-for-5, RBI), Derrick Washington (2-for-5), Mason Mosby (2-

for-4) and Robbie Hohler (2-for-5, run) all were multiple hitters for Sikeston.

Others were Troy Sitton (1-for-5), Jared Hughes (1-for-4, run), Ryan Poole (1-

for-4, RBI) and Chase Kittinger (1-for-3, RBI).

"These kids battled the whole summer," said Puckett. "We had some injuries and defections that really hurt us, especially with our pitching staff. It was rough on our pitchers late because we didn't have a bullpen. But they battled and that was one of the high points of our team."