March 27, 2009 (vs Kempner Cougars)
Kempner's Cats Nip Dogs, 8-7
The Bulldogs dropped their District record to 1 and 2, losing a tough decision
to the home standing Kempner Cougars on Friday night, 8-7.
The Bulldogs started well, when CF Tyler Whitaker scored in the top of the first
after receiving a free pass, moving to third on a hard hit double by SS Tyler
Hopson and later scoring on a bobble by the Cougar shortstop. The Cougars came
back in the bottom of the inning with a vengeance, however, scoring each of their
first four batters by virtue of a hit batter, walk, and three later hits in the
inning.
The score would tighten up in the third inning when the Dawgs would add two to
their tally. Leading off the inning, P Cody Brown and Whitaker each drew a base
on balls. Hopson followed with a ground ball that moved both into scoring position.
With 3B Jarrod Boyle at the plate, the Cougar hurler balked home Brown and later
scored Whitaker on a wild pitch; Boyle working the at bat for the third walk of
the inning. Things were looking up for the Bulldogs when C Chris Miller then followed
with a double down the third base line to move Boyle to third base, putting two
in scoring scoring position with one out. The inning ended there as the Cougars
were able to retire the next two batters to avoid further damage. Cody Brown held
the Cougars scoreless in the bottom of the inning, striking out the last two batters
to maintain the deficit at 4-3 after three complete.
After being held scoreless in the top of the fourth, Kempner added two to their
total by virtue of a walk and two hits. Brown buckled down once again, ending
the inning by striking out the Cougars clean-up batter; one of his seven strikeouts
that he would tally over six workmanlike innings.
The Bulldogs would draw closer in the top of the fifth, when Boyle reached base
on a well-placed and wind aided blooper to short center field, moving to second
on a Cougar error on the play. He would move to third on an infield hit legged
out by Miller, and was scored by RF Andrew Sciba's ground ball. The Cougars added
two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, to extend their lead to 8-4.
As the top of the sixth inning began, with everyone watching the game clock, the
Dawgs showed their meddle, scoring three runs to close the gap to 8-7. Brown and
Whitaker began the late rally, reaching base after a Cougar error and a free pass.
Both would be driven home by Boyle's two-RBI double, moving to third on the throw.
Boyle would score when Miller followed with ground ball to the Kempner shortstop
who made his third error of the game on the play. The rally would end, however,
when the Dawgs would strand the tying run at second base and time expired in the
bottom of the inning while the Cougar batter deliberately tied his shoe with two
outs recorded. That's baseball, my friends...
Bulldog Offensive Highlights
Hits (7), Jarrod Boyle (2), Chris Miller (2), Cody Brown, Tyler Hopson, Nate McMillan
RBI (5), Jarrod Boyle (3), Cody Brown, Chris Miller
Extra Base Hits (3), Tyler Hopson (2B), Jarrod Boyle (2B), Chris Miller (2B)
Bulldog Pitching Highlights
Cody Brown (LP), 6 Innings, 7 Ks, 4 BBs, 8 Hits, 8 Runs (7 earned)
Score by inning:
| 0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
| FB Austin |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
1 |
8 |
Kempner |
4 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
6 |
Submitted by: Allen Miller