BULLARD, Texas (KLTV) – The Bullard Lady Panthers are back in the state semifinals for the first time since 2022 and are a perfect 8-0 in the postseason this year.
Head coach Julie Murry joined East Texas Now on Monday to talk about the season, the upcoming series and the support from the Bullard community. In the 4A Division I Region 3 final, Bullard beat Livingston 3-2 in the first game and 8-1 in the second game. Murry said the team was ecstatic after the last out was made.
“It’s fun to see hard work pay off. And it’s fun to see that for these kids. And I think that they took a lot of joy in celebrating with one another and our coaching staff with one another,” Murry said. “Because it’s a good moment, it’s a moment to celebrate.”
The Lady Panthers were bounced from the playoffs in the second round last season. Murry said the message to the team this season was to be the best versions of themselves.
“We had unfortunately, you know, two of the top ten teams in the state for sure, maybe top three teams in the state had to match up early last year. And that was very unfortunate in terms of this playoff format. But you know, our message was basically we want to be the best version of ourselves we can be whenever we get to playoff season,” Murry said. “Whatever happens, happens, whoever we get in whatever round, you know, you got to beat the best to be the best. And we want to make sure that we’re trying to get to the best.”
Bullard won series against Vidor, Huffman-Hargrave, Sealy and Livingston without dropping a game. Murry said the kids have prepared for this moment.
“I really feel like their preparation is kind of the key to what’s going on. Their, their preparation feeds them confidence. And, it’s not just the preparation that we’ve provided for them, but years of preparation, you know, going back a long time. And, I think it’s just helped them feel confident,” Murry said. “I feel like, you know, we’re battle tested and we’ve seen some great softball teams. And I think that’s given us some confidence that we’re prepared.”
Bullard went 10-0 this season in District 17-4A and holds a 34-7 overall record. Murry said the team is a determined group this year.
“Senior leadership has been a very big factor for us. And I think that this group has competed in region three for four years now. And it’s a tough region,” Murry said. “They watched our success that happened in region two and it’s been a really tough road to break into this round for us since we moved to region three, but they’re determined and they’re looking to make their own kind of history this week.”
Being in Region 3, Bullard has had to make several trips south for playoff games. Murry said the community traveling to the games makes the team feel supported.
“We have our faithful fans that travel with us no matter where we go, no matter when we go there. And we’re so appreciative of them. We call them our super fans for sure,” Murry said. “Not just our parents, you know, but some actual just fans that just love these kids and love softball and like watching competitive games. And so we’re very appreciative of our community for the support that they’ve shown. And we hope they show up big for us. Two more weeks for sure.”
Bullard has five seniors on the team, and Murry said this is a class she loves to talk about.
“They’re big impact players, each of them in their own right. You know, they are wonderful humans just outside of softball. They’re amazing students here in our high school. They for sure just have big goals, you know, to continue our season,” Murry said. “I think they’re doing a great job of leading us, you know, and they were led, it’s just so fun for me to get to watch. They were led by some amazing seniors when they were freshmen. And it’s fun to get to see that impact, you know, from previous teams still making an impact on today’s team. And it’s really fun to get to watch that.”
Bullard plays Corpus Christi Calallen this week. Calallen has won the last three state championships in Class 4A. Murry said the team respects all, but fears none.
“Calallen has great leadership also. They’re a senior heavy group as well. They have a pitcher in the circle that’s led them all three years that they’ve won it. We have a lot of respect for them, but you know, I said this last week and I’ll say it again this week, respect all, fear none,” Murry said. “We’re going into this week thinking that we have the tools that will pay off for us and that what it takes, in other words, to take care of business this week. And we know it’s a challenge, but it’s not a challenge that we’re ready to back down from. It’s a challenge we can’t wait for.”
Bullard and Corpus Christi Calallen play a best-of-three series at Cy Ranch High School. Game one is Wednesday at 7 p.m.; game two is Thursday at 7 p.m.; game three, if necessary, is Saturday at 8 p.m.
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