Behind a gem of a game from sophomore pitcher Dalton Rouse, the Hampton Bulldogs started out their season with a 12-1 win at South Greene Tuesday.
Rouse retired 11 South Greene batters as he picked up the win for the Bulldogs. Rouse was firing on target as 66 of the sophomore’s 92 pitches crossed the plate for strikes.
“I have been around the game, on multiple levels, for several years now, and really, Rouse was as in control of his ‘stuff’ as any pitcher I have seen in a long time,” said Hampton head coach Nicholas Perkins. “He was in complete command with everything.”
At the plate, Bulldogs Dru Owens, Josh Owens, Brett Deaton, and Gavin Hardin all had doubles. Josh Owens finished the game with three RBIs.
Tuesday’s win was the Bulldogs’ first under the leadership of Perkins who is in his first season at Hampton.
“We understand South Greene is in rebuilding mode, and we know not to make too much of one game, but our kids played pretty clean baseball in frigid conditions, drove the ball a little bit at the plate, executed some offense, played with a good temperament, so just a lot of positives from game number one,” said Perkins. “We had a nice little crowd travel down and brave the elements, too, so we appreciate our Hampton Baseball family.”
The Bulldogs will be back at it today as they travel to Providence Academy.