The Bulldogs racked up their third straight win to start district play, beating the Willowridge Eagles 11-1. Starting Pitcher Clint VanTilborg went the distance for his first district win of the year, scattering 7 base runners over 5 innings on 3 hits, 2 walks, a hit batter, and an error, while notching 8 strikeouts, including the side in the fourth.

Things looked a little shaky to start the first, with a hit batter on the first pitch, a stolen base, and a full-count single to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Known to be aggressive running the bases, the Eagles were looking to pull a double steal, but saw that turn into a double play instead; a fake cut-off by 2B Luke Mulcahey on C Drew Miller’s throw down went to SS Barrett Barnes to catch the runner from first the second, and the late-breaking runner from third was caught at the plate by Barnes’ return throw to Miller.

The Bulldogs didn’t take long to get on the board in the bottom of the first. A lead-off walk to Barnes was followed by a triple to right center by CF Daniel Rockett. 3B Ryan Dalton brought Rockett home with a double to left to make it 2-0. The Bulldogs would add another pair in the third when Rockett scored on Dalton’s misplayed grounder to shortstop, and Dalton came around to score on 1B Erik Schweiger’s single and a couple of passed balls.

The Bulldogs kept building their lead with a 4-spot in the fourth. RF Tony Gigliotti, aboard on another tough play to short and an overthrow, scored on Barnes’ single. Barnes scored on Dalton’s single, and after Schweiger reached on catcher’s interference, LF Blake Doerr brought home 2 with a double to make the score 8-1.

Looking to make it a short night, the Bulldogs pressed on in the fifth. A tough play on a grounder to third put Mulcahey aboard to lead off the inning, and he moved to third on Gigliotti’s double down the left field line. Miller brought them both home with a double to right center, just out of the reach of the Eagles’ RF Pasley. After an infield hit by Barnes, Rockett made the score 11-1 with a single to left to score pinch runner Eric Hughes.

Next up for the Bulldogs – At home Friday night for “Little League Night at the Ballpark” and a game with the Travis Tigers.

Bulldog Offensive Highlights:

· 10 hits for the Bulldogs, including 5 for extra bases: a triple and a single for CF Daniel Rockett; a double and a single for 3B Ryan Dalton; two singles for SS Barrett Barnes; and a double each for LF Blake Doerr, RF Tony Gigliotti, and C Drew Miller.

· 10 RBIs on the game: 3 for Dalton; 2 each for Rockett, Doerr, and Miller; and 1 for Barnes.

Bulldog Pitching Highlights:

· Clint VanTilborg, (2-1, 1-0) complete game victory, 5 innings, 8 K’s, 2 BB’s, HPB, 3 hits, 1 run

Bulldog Defensive Highlights:

· 2-6-2 double play on a first-and-third double steal attempt in the first, Miller to Barnes to Miller, with a fake cutoff by 2B Mulcahey thrown in for good measure.

· 8 K’s for VanTilborg, including the side in the fourth.

· A bunt hit attempt ended in a bang-bang play for the 5-3 putout to start the fifth, 3B Dalton to 1B Schweiger.

· With the bases loaded in the fifth, CF Rockett tracked down a blast to deep center for the third out.

Winning Pitcher: Clint VanTilborg (2-1, 1-0)

Losing Pitcher: Noah Thomas

Extra Base Hits, FBA: 3B Rockett; 2B Dalton, Doerr, Gigliotti, Miller

Score by inning:

Submitted by: Tom Miller