April 6, 2009 (vs Hightower Hurricanes)
Bulldogs Storm the Hurricanes, 13-3


The visiting Austin Bulldogs defeated the Hightower Hurricanes on Monday night 13-3 on yet another cold and windy evening that the Dawgs seem to enjoy so much.

The Dawgs capitalized on the seven base-on-balls issued by Hightower hurlers, adding eight hits of their own to score 13 runs over the 5 innings played.

The Bulldogs would take a one run lead in the top of the first inning, as CF Tyler Whitaker would work the first free pass of the game and turn that into the first run when DH Jared Boyle would bring Whitaker across the dish with an RBI double to right center field.

Austin extended their lead in the top of the second to 5-0, as they would score the first four batters that they would send to the plate in the inning. Scoring would be 3B Tyler Hopson, who would collect the only hit of the inning, along with SS Cody Brown, C Chris Miller and 1B Sean Pringle who reached on a hit-by-pitch and two base on balls respectively. RBIs would be credited to Pringle, P James Sullivan, CF Tyler Whitaker and LF Brock West.

After holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the top of the third inning, the Hurricanes would get on the board in the bottom of the frame, scoring two runs on back-to-back doubles and later single in the inning to tighten the score to 5-2.

The Dawgs broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning, however, as they would bat around for the second time in the game, adding 6 more runs to their tally to put the game safely out of reach. Hits and runs were scored by 2B Nate McMillan, Sullivan, West, Boyle, and Hopson, while Brown would reach on a walk and also score. RBIs in the inning would go to West (2) on a single to straight-away center field, Hopson and Pringle.

Austin wasn't finished scoring yet, as they would add two more runs in the fifth inning; Sullivan walking on four pitches and Whitaker being hit by a pitch, both scoring later in the inning as Boyle and Hopson would add to their RBI totals for the game.

After pitching 4 strong innings, scattering 5 hits while striking out 3 Canes and allowing only 2 runs (1 earned), James Sullivan would give way to Michael Brand who would finish off the evening by retiring the top of the Hurricane's lineup while allowing just one unearned run. The Bulldogs would not give up a base on balls over the entire game.

Defensive highlights for the Dawgs included two put-outs at home, including one where C Chris Miller had to go high with the tag as the incoming Hurricane attempted to leap over the awaiting catcher, 2B Nathan McMillan throwing out the Hurricane's #3 batter from behind second base in the first inning, P James Sullivan teaming up with 3B Tyler Hopson to pick off a Cane base runner, and 1B Sean Pringle making a nice snag of a sharply hit ball down the first base line.

Bulldog Offensive Highlights

Hits (8), Jared Boyle (2), Tyler Hopson (2), James Sullivan, Brock West, Andrew Sciba, Nate McMillan
RBI (10), Brock West (3), Tyler Hopson (2), Jared Boyle (2), James Sullivan, Tyler Whitaker, Sean Pringle
Extra Base Hits (2), James Sullivan (2B), Jared Boyle (2B)

Bulldog Pitching Highlights
James Sullivan (W), 4 Innings, 3 Ks, 0 BBs, 5 Hits, 2 Runs (1 earned)
Michael Brand, 1 Inning, 1 Ks, 0 BBs, 1 Hit, 1 Run (0 earned)


Score by inning:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E LOB
FB Austin 1 4 0 6 2 x x 13 8 5 4
Hightower
0
0
2
0
1
x x
3
6 2 4




Submitted by: Allen Miller