Staff photo / Brian Yauger Chalker senior Abby Grimm slides into third base during the third inning of Thursday’s game against Bristol.

BRISTOLVILLE — Chalker hasn’t played many games this season, so when the Wildcats get the chance to take the field, they’re not messing around.

The ‘Cats hit the ball early and often on Thursday, downing Bristol 18-4.

Despite not facing many live pitchers, Chalker has been working on its hitting at every opportunity.

“We hit a lot. We hit a lot (outside), we hit a lot if we’re in the gym, we’re hitting every night,” Wildcats coach Rich Hudak said. There’s no magical way around it. We do a lot of hitting off of live pitching when we can, and hitting off the machine.”

It didn’t take long for Chalker to cross home plate. The Wildcats (5-3, 5-1) scored six runs in the opening inning, with sophomore Bailey Ann Bussey crossing first after a Riley Ashcraft triple, then sending junior Kelsey Brown home on her second at-bat of the inning.

Another scoring surge happened in the fourth inning, highlighted by Tatum Hudak’s three-run home run to score the team’s 18th run of the game.

“We wanted to come in with a good mindset,” coach Hudak said. “Let the ball travel to you. Don’t try to make too much of it. Just let the ball travel to you and hit the pitch they’re throwing to you. Don’t try to do too much.”

The loss drops Bristol to 3-9 on the season and 1-5 in league play.

With a young group – just three upperclassmen are on the Panthers’ roster – maintaining the team’s morale is paramount for first-year coach Dylan Doll.

Going against a team like Chalker is a big test, and Bristol showed promise in the loss.

“I want them to try the hardest to show that they can do it,” Doll said. “That’s why I tell them all the time, ‘Never give up just because we’re playing a better team. Don’t think that it’s an automatic loss.’ Every game is winnable. As long as they keep their head up, keep fighting hard through it all, and they can prove to everybody that they are in competition and can stand up with the best.”

The Panthers close the week out with a pair of home games against Liberty and Chaney.

Chalker is scheduled to host Poland tonight at Wildcat Acres in Southington. The Wildcats have already faced them once, a 14-4 defeat, but are looking forward to the opportunity for a rematch.

“They’re a really good team. (Bulldogs coach) Jim (Serich) does a really nice job with them down there,” Rich Hudak said. “A lot of talent, a great hitting team, and they have some nice pitchers. We like the competition. This is one of those times you have to do little things right? We have to do little things right every single inning. We’re looking forward to playing them, just good competition.”

First pitch is set for 5 p.m.