Bulldogs in the heart of their region schedule

Having played just 4 region games, the Bulldogs will be looking to take over first place over the next couple of weeks with seven region games on the schedule. Before the 2 region games this week against Jenkins Co., the Bulldogs sit in second place behind Screven Co. The Gamecocks lead the region with an unblemished 4-0 record with the Bulldogs a game behind at 3-1.

ECI and Screven tangle up the on the 25th and 27th of March which may determine the region leader going into the last month of the season.

The Bulldogs improved their region record last week with two wins against Bryan Co. Leading 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning, the Bulldogs walked it off posting 6 runs in the bottom of the inning to run rule Bryan 12-1. The Bulldogs took an early lead in the bottom of the first on a Redskin error and back-to-back doubles by Gabe Lee and Bryson Thompson to take a 2-0 lead. The Bulldogs played small ball to score their third run of the game in the bottom of the second. James Parker led the inning off with the first of his 3 singles of the day. Gunner Johnson moved Parker into scoring position with a sac bunt. Parker later scored on a Bryan error to put the Bulldogs up 3-0.

The game fell apart for the Redskins in the bottom of the sixth. The Bulldogs pounded out 6 singles combined with 5 walks to post 9 runs in the inning. Lake Bush hit the last single of the inning to score the 12th run to end the game in the sixth. The Bulldogs had 11 hits during the game with James Parker 3-3 and Bryson Thompson, 2-4 getting multiple hits. Jackson Kennedy backed up his 2-hit outing against Metter allowing just 4 hits to Bryan with no walks and 6 strikeouts.

It was a much closer game against Bryan Co. last Friday in Pembroke. The Bulldogs edged the Redskins 6-5 to close out the two game region series. With the game tied 3-3 after five innings, the Bulldogs took back the lead posting 3 runs in the inning to lead 6-3. Gunner Johnson led off the sixth with a walk and later scored after a Jud Underwood double and Jackson Kennedy single. Gable Lee plated another run on a double and with the bases loaded Tuff Boddiford got an RBI with a walk to put the Bulldogs up 6-3. The Redskins made it interesting in the bottom of the sixth posting 2 runs to draw closer at 6-5. Boddiford and his defense sat them down in order in the bottom of the seventh to give the Bulldogs a 6-5 win.

The Bulldogs had a short rest after the ride to Pembroke on Friday night with a game on Saturday against Swainsboro. The Bulldogs won the game against the Tigers 9-2 to give the Tigers their second loss of the season, both by the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs took an early 3-0 lead to begin the game. Jackson Kennedy led off the game with a single and scored the game’s first run after a Gabe Lee walk and a Tuff Boddiford double, which scored Lee. With Boddiford on third, the Bulldogs scored their third run of the inning on the first 6 errors committed by Swainsboro to make the score 3-0. The Tigers pecked away and scored a run in the fourth and sixth inning with the Bulldog still leading 3-2 entering the seventh inning. The Tigers had a few chances to tie or take the lead but left several runners in scoring position stranded due to the Bulldog pitching out of tough situations. The seventh inning was a nightmare for the Tigers. The inning began with putting a runner on first after catcher’s interference and it was downhill from there. The Bulldogs hit 6 singles along with a Jud Underwood double to take any wind out of the sails the Tigers might have had, to score 6 runs in the inning. The Bulldogs swept the two-game series with a Swainsboro 9-2 win. The Bulldogs had 11 hits during the game with Tuff Boddiford and Ab Marsh the multiple hitters with 2 each. Seven other Bulldog batters ended the game with one hit each. James Parker pitched the first 5 innings for the Bulldogs scattering 9 hits while walking just 2 with 3 strikeouts. Boddiford closed out the final 1-2/3 innings with zeros across the board and a strikeout.

The Bulldogs played Jenkins Co. in Millen yesterday and will end the week hosting the Eagles Friday.

It will be a busy week for the Bulldog pitching staff beginning March 18. ECI has 4 region games on schedule next week. They start a two-game home and away schedule with McIntosh Co. on Tuesday in Darien, then host Savannah on Wednesday in a doubleheader and end the Marathon week hosting the Buccaneers from Darien on Friday.