Making their first playoff appearance in ten years, the FB Austin Bulldogs may have appeared to be in the underdog role against the perennial playoff powerhouse Alvin Yellowjackets and their lefty ace Aaron Stewart. But the Bulldogs can tout a lefty ace of their own, Junior A.J. Glasshof, who no-hit the Yellowjackets, logged 13 strikeouts, and propelled the Bulldogs into the second round of the playoffs.

Glasshof may have been a little nervous in his post-season assignment, as a hit batter, a fielder’s choice bunt, and two walks loaded the bases with one out to start the game. Glasshof then bore down and got into an 11-pitch battle with Alvin LF Jacob Campbell, finally logging Out #2 of the inning on a full-count foul-tip strikeout. Glasshof followed that up with a 3-pitch strikeout to end the top of the first.

The Bulldog defense may have had some post-season jitters themselves, as Alvin scored a run in the top of the second. Alvin 3B Miseal Reyes led off the inning with a 9-pitch at-bat, eventually working a walk. On his steal attempt, the throw got by the infield, and the throw to third went into the Alvin dugout to plate Reyes with what would be Alvin’s only run of the night. Glasshof struck out the next two batters, and CF Daniel Rockett made a diving grab for the third out of the inning. Glasshof only allowed three base runners the rest of the way, while logging another nine strikeouts.

The Bulldogs had their struggles with Alvin Ace Aaron Stewart, racking up 11 strikeouts, equaling their season-high (which they had against the Travis Tigers, twice). The ‘Dogs broke through for a run, though, without benefit of a hit in the third. 2B Luke Mulcahey reached on a passed-ball strikeout to lead off the inning, and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by RF Tony Gigliotti. Mulcahey went to third on a passed ball during CF Daniel Rockett’s full-count walk, and came home on the third passed ball of the inning, during a walk to SS Barrett Barnes. Stewart kicked it into another gear after that, striking out 5 of the next 6 batters.

The Bulldogs would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth. CF Daniel Rockett dropped a one-out bunt single down the third base line and stole second. Barnes then collected his second hit of the game, a line shot up the middle to score Rockett. Barnes took second on the throw home, and went to third when the throw went over the catcher. Barnes then showed his speed and his baserunning savvy; on 3B Ryan Dalton’s 5-3 groundout, Barnes waited for the throw to first, then took off and beat the throw home with a great slide to the outside edge of the plate, making the score 3-1.

The Bulldogs would threaten again in the sixth, on a one-out walk to DH Erik Schweiger (who also doubled in the fourth), and a double by C Matt Hills, but couldn’t capitalize. It wouldn’t matter, though, as Glasshof went the distance, getting a deep fly to RF Tony Gigliotti for the first out in the seventh, and notching two more strikeouts to close out the no-hit victory.

Next up for the Bulldogs – Area Round of the Playoffs, Tuesday vs. Channelview, place & time TBD.

Bulldog Offensive Highlights:

· 5 hits for the Bulldogs, 2 for extra bases: two singles for SS Barrett Barnes; a double each for DH Erik Schweiger and C Matt Hills; and a single for CF Daniel Rockett.

· 2 RBIs on the game: 1 each for Barnes and Dalton.

· Perfect night at the plate for Barrett Barnes, with two singles and a walk in three trips.

Bulldog Pitching Highlights:

· A.J. Glasshof, 7 innings, complete game no-hitter, 13 K’s, 5 BB’s, 1 HPB, 1 unearned run.

Bulldog Defensive Highlights:

With 13 K’s, that left 8 outs for the defense to handle. Here’s the rundown:

· 5-6 putout on a sacrifice bunt attempt for the first out in the first, 3B Dalton to SS Barnes covering second base.

· Diving catch of a line drive by CF Rockett for the third out in the second.

· Foul pop catch near the third base fence by 3B Dalton for the first out in the fourth.

· Line drive catch by 2B Mulcahey for the third out in the fourth.

· Fly ball catch by RF Gigliotti for the second out in the fifth.

· 5-3 groundout for the first out in the sixth, 3B Dalton to 1B Miller.

· Fly ball catch by RF Gigliotti for the second out in the sixth.

· Fly ball catch near the wall by RF Gigliotti for the first out in the seventh.

· Special nod to C Matt Hills for two foul-tip strike 3 catches, plus a 2-3 putout on strike three in the dirt, C Hills to 1B Miller for the first out in the second.

Strikeout Notes:

· With 13 K’s, Glasshof struck out every batter in the Alvin line-up at least once, including their two pinch-hitters.

Winning Pitcher: A.J. Glasshof (13 K’s)

Losing Pitcher: Aaron Stewart (11 K’s)

Extra Base Hits, FBA: 2B – Schweiger, Hills

Score by inning:

Submitted by: Tom Miller