Third time proved to be the charm for Bullard. After falling short of a state championship in 2021 and 2022, the Panthers finally broke through, shutting out Prosper Richland 3-0 to claim their first UIL state softball title.
Bullard struck first when Kenzie Roberts lifted a fly ball deep enough to right field to score Kristen Malone, putting the Panthers on top 1-0. Prosper Richland threatened to answer, but freshman Isabelle Lewis held firm in the circle, recording two of her strikeouts on the day to end the inning.
The Raiders mounted another charge in the fourth, with Justice Malone singling, stealing second, and advancing to third. But Brooklyn Brannen — who was dominant all afternoon — slammed the door with another strikeout, one of nine she recorded on the day. Prosper Richland never found an answer, and the Panthers walked away with a 3-0 victory and the program's first state championship.
The 'Cardiac Kids' nickname earned through multiple playoff comebacks this postseason almost wasn't needed in the final — Bullard handled business from the jump and never looked back.
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