The Bulldogs evened their season record this afternoon at 3-3, after a crisp victory over the MacArthur Generals in the second game of the Ewell Jackson Tournament. As the visiting team for this game, Austin put 3 runs up on the board in the top of the first, making that the fifth time in six games that they’ve scored in the opening frame. SS Scott Viktorin lead off with a full-count double to right center, and alertly took third when the throw in got by the cut-off man. After CF Daniel Rockett was hit by a pitch and stole second, 2B Barrett Barnes hit a grounder too hot for MacArthur’s shortstop to handle, scoring Viktorin. One out later, P Ryan Dalton walked on a full count to load the bases for DH Kyle Garoni. A fielder’s choice grounder to shortstop plated Rockett, and Barnes followed him in when their Generals’ first baseman couldn’t handle the relay on a potential double-play.

The Bulldog pitching staff continued their stingy ways, running their scoreless inning streak to thirteen. Starting Pitcher Ryan Dalton turned in a steady performance, working 3 scoreless innings while allowing only 4 base runners, all with 2 out. Dalton gave way to Reliever Andrew Keplinger, who gave up a solo shot to the second batter he faced in the 4th, the Generals only run of the game. After a brief consult with C Drew Miller, Keplinger struck out the next two batters to end the inning, then faced the minimum through the fifth, sixth, and seventh, getting another 2 strikeouts and a double play.

The Bulldogs tacked on a couple of insurance runs in the fifth. Viktorin and Rockett both walked to lead off the inning. With one out, back-to-back singles by 1B Adam Shank and 3B Benn Fairbanks brought home Viktorin and Rockett, wrapping up the scoring.

Offensive highlights:

· The Bulldogs made the most of their opportunities today, scoring 5 runs on 6 hits: a single and double for RF Tony Gigliotti, doubles by Scott Viktorin and Barrett Barnes, and singles by Adam Shank and Benn Fairbanks.

· 4 RBIs on the game – one each by Barnes, Garoni, Shank, and Fairbanks.

· After being outscored 23-10 during their opening 3-game losing streak, the Bulldogs have really turned the tables, going 3-0 in the win column, and 55-1 on the scoreboard.

Pitching highlights:

· Ryan Dalton (2-1) earns the win, working 3 innings, 5 K’s, 2 BB’s, 2 hits, no runs.

· Andrew Keplinger went 4 innings, 4 K’s, 2 hits, one run, and getting the first save of the season.

Defensive highlights:

· Heads-up playing by 1B Adam Shank, coming off the bag to make tags twice, the last time to complete a double-play in the sixth. Also, on the game’s last ball in play, he made a nice pick-up and toss to P Andrew Keplinger covering first for the 3-to-1 putout to seal the victory.