The Bulldogs started the evening with a 7-2 victory over the Waltrip Rams, running their record to 2-0 in the Ewell Jackson Tournament.

The visiting Bulldogs got on the board early, putting up two runs in the opening frame. SS Barrett Barnes led off with a double off the left field wall, then promptly stole third. CF Daniel Rockett matched that effort with a double to left center and a stolen base. LF Blake Doerr knocked in Rockett to give the Bulldogs an early two-run lead.

Bulldog starting pitcher Clint VanTilborg (1-1) went the distance, scattering six singles, a couple of walks, and a hit batter over 6 innings, while tallying 5 strikeouts. The only real trouble for VanTilborg came in the second, when the first four batters reached on an error and 3 singles, tying the game at 2. That would be all the scoring the Rams would get the rest of the way, though, as big #44 buckled down, got some key strikeouts, and put his defense to work for him.

The Bulldogs responded to Waltrip’s scoring in dramatic fashion in the third. A lead-off walk to 3B Ryan Dalton was followed by a moonshot to left by Doerr that was caught at the wall. Back-to-back singles by DH Erik Schweiger and RF Tony Gigliotti gave the Bulldogs the lead, then C Matt Hills padded that lead with a 3-run home run to left center. The Bulldogs would tack on an insurance run in the fifth. Hills singled to right, and pinch runner Eric Hughes sped around to score on 2B Luke Mulcahey’s double into the left field corner, making the score 7-2.

Bulldog Offensive Highlights:

· 10 hits for the Bulldogs, including 6 for extra bases: HR and single for C Matt Hills; a double each for SS Barrett Barnes, CF Daniel Rockett, 3B Ryan Dalton, 2B Luke Mulcahey, and 1B Drew Miller; and a single each for LF Blake Doerr, DH Erik Schweiger, and RF Tony Gigliotti.

· 7 RBIs on the game: 3 for Hills, and 1 each for Rockett, Doerr, Gigliotti, and Mulcahey.

Bulldog Pitching Highlights:

· Clint VanTilborg (1-1), 6 innings, 5 K’s, 2 BB & 1 HPB, 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned run.

Bulldog Defensive Highlights:

· 6-3 Double Play in the first, SS Barnes to 1B Miller

· Great running catch by RF Gigliotti for the second out in the third.

· 8-3 Double Play to end the fourth, a line drive to CF Rockett to 1B Miller.

· Great catch near the wall by LF Doerr for the last out of the game.

Winning Pitcher: Clint VanTilborg (1-1)

Losing Pitcher: Chris Lopez

Extra Base Hits, FBA: HR – Hills; 2B – Barnes, Rockett, Dalton, Mulcahey, Miller

Submitted by: Tom Miller