The postseason started exactly how the Apollo Eagles Softball wanted Monday night.

Behind a complete-game performance from Mollie Julian and a relentless offensive attack led by Emersyn Bullington, Apollo rolled past Trinity Lady Raiders Softball 5-1 in the opening round of the regional tournament.

Julian controlled the game from the circle from the opening inning, striking out 10 batters while allowing just one run on five hits across seven innings. She didn’t issue a single walk and repeatedly shut down Trinity rallies before they could build momentum.

Apollo wasted no time setting the tone offensively.

After loading the bases in the top of the first, the Eagles grabbed a 1-0 lead when a wild pitch allowed Emersyn Bullington to score. Apollo kept the pressure on in the second inning as Arianna Ramirez ripped an RBI double down the left field line before Bullington followed with another RBI single to stretch the lead to 3-0.

Bullington was nearly unstoppable at the plate, finishing 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Ramirez added two doubles and two RBIs of her own, giving Apollo’s lineup a dangerous one-two punch all night long.

Trinity answered in the bottom of the third when Kendall Howard delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-1, but Julian immediately regained control. The Apollo senior struck out six batters over the next four innings and stranded multiple runners in scoring position to keep Trinity from mounting a comeback.

The Eagles added insurance runs in the sixth inning after another RBI double from Ramirez and Bullington’s fourth hit of the night pushed the lead to 5-1.

Tyler Hall added two hits for Apollo as the Eagles collected 10 total hits in the win.

Despite the loss, Trinity pitcher Ella Morris battled through seven innings while striking out 13 hitters. Avary Emmick led the Lady Raiders offensively with two hits.

With the win, Apollo moves on in regional tournament play carrying momentum from a balanced performance that featured dominant pitching, timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning from the first inning forward.