The FB Austin Bulldogs came into Frankie Field this afternoon and spoiled the district home opener for the Clements Rangers, winning 7-3. Great starting pitching, timely hitting, and excellent relief pitching got the Bulldogs their second victory in as many games to start district play.

In what is becoming the usual fashion for the Bulldogs, they got on the board early, scoring single runs in each of the first three innings off of Rangers Starting Pitcher Walker Dille. In the first inning, a one-out walk to CF Daniel Rockett, a passed ball, and a double to left by LF Adam Shank plated the first run. In the second inning, SS Scott Viktorin got things started with a lead-off single, then got moved around the bases by his mates without the ball leaving the infield – a hit-and-run ground ball out to third by C Drew Miller, a misplay on 1B Benn Fairbanks ground ball to third base, and a 2-out infield hit to shortstop by 2B Barrett Barnes. DH Blake Doerr worked a full-count walk in the third inning with two outs, then came home on consecutive 2-out singles by Viktorin and Miller.

Meanwhile, Bulldog Starting Pitcher Caleb McKinney shut out the potent Ranger line-up through the first three innings, facing the minimum nine batters. McKinney allowed two baserunners the first-time through -- a full-count leadoff walk in the first, and a 1-out walk in the second – but both of those were erased on inning-ending double plays.

After manufacturing a run an inning through 3, the Bulldogs turned it up a notch in the fourth, again with two outs. Barnes got things going with a double into the left field corner. With an 0-2 count on Rockett, the Rangers looked like they might get a shut-out inning, but the throw from shortstop on Rockett’s ground ball got past the first baseman, allowing Barnes to score -- that would prove to be a costly error. Adam Shank collected his second double of the game on Dille’s first pitch, and Rockett held up at third. The big blow of the game came next, when 3B Ryan Dalton unloaded on Dille’s 0-2 offering, depositing it over the left field wall for a 3-run Home Run. That spelled the end for the Rangers starter, and left the Bulldogs up, 7-0.

As has been the case a few times early this season, the Bulldogs have found that no lead is as safe or as comfortable as you think. The Rangers staged a 2-out rally of the own in the home half of the fourth, getting a double by relief pitcher Kyl Waterwall, who then scored when Dalton’s throw got by first baseman Benn Fairbanks on Robbie Buller’s ground ball. In the fifth, the Rangers finally shut down the Bulldog offense, and then turned it up a notch themselves during their turn at the plate. McKinney gave up a lead-off walk to Matt Heitzer, followed by a single to center by Taylor Overbey; unfortunately, Overbey’s single slipped under Rockett’s glove and Heitzer motored around for the score. Not wanting to see the Rangers build any momentum, the call went to the bullpen, ending a very effective 2-hit pitching outing by Caleb McKinney. Dalton came in and got two quick outs, then things got a little too interesting for the Bulldog faithful. A double by RF Brandon Wood scored Overbey, and back-to-back walks to Michna and Waterwall loaded the bases and brought the tying run to the plate. Dalton came through with a strikeout swinging on Buller to end the threat, but the Rangers had closed the gap, 7-3.

That’s how it would end, though, as the relief pitching on both sides held the offenses in check. For the second time in as many games, the Bulldog pitching combo of McKinney and Dalton netted a crucial district win. Next up for the Bulldogs are the visiting Travis Tigers, coming to AHS for “Little League Night at the Ballpark” on Friday night, while Clements faces Elkins in another tough 23-5A match-up.

Bulldog Offensive Highlights:

· 12 hits for the Bulldogs, 5 for extra bases: 2 doubles and a single for LF Adam Shank; 2 singles and a double for SS Scott Viktorin; HR #3 and a single for 3B/RP Ryan Dalton; a single and a double for 2B Barrett Barnes; and singles for C Drew Miller and RF Tony Gigliotti.

· 7 RBIs on the game: three for Dalton (on HR #3), and one each for Shank, Barnes, Miller, and CF Daniel Rockett.

Bulldog Pitching Highlights:

· Caleb McKinney (3-0, 2-0), 4 innings, 1 K, 3 BB’s, 2 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs.

· Ryan Dalton (Save #2), 3 innings, 3 K’s, 3 BB’s, 2 hits, 0 runs.

Bulldog Defensive Highlights:

· Two double plays to end the first two innings, score those 6-4-3 and 5-4-3.

· SS Scott Viktorin showed his range, glove, and arm this afternoon, a perfect 5-for-5 on ground balls hit his way.

Winning Pitcher: Caleb McKinney (3-0, 2-0)

Save: Ryan Dalton (#2)

Losing Pitcher: Walker Dille (2-1)

HR, FB Austin: Ryan Dalton (#3)

Score by inning: