Bulldogs drop pitchers duel to Patriots
Published 12:11 pm Thursday, July 2, 2020
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Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
A Bulldog infielder makes a valiant diving effort on a hard-hit ball.
Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
Bulldogs first baseman McKinley Kuhn squeezes the baseball as a Patriot baserunner hustles down the first base line.
Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
The Bulldogs Caleb Royston comes in behind a Patriot baserunner as the ball arrives late at the bag. The play is being backed up by the Bulldogs second baseman.
Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
Bulldogs pitcher Jonathan Greenwell fires a pitch toward home plate in Wednesday's game against the Patriots.
Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
A Bulldog batter prepares to lay down a bunt attempt in Wednesday's game against the Patriots.
Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
A Bulldog baserunner hustles down the line trying to beat out a throw.
Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
Bulldogs catcher Morgan Lyons prepares to throw the baseball back to the pitcher.
Star Photo/Dawn Lambert
Caleb Royston prepares to throw across the diamond in an attempt to nab a Patriot runner at first for the Bulldogs.
BY ALLEN LAMOUNTAIN
STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Bulldogs (1-5) got solid pitching on Wednesday afternoon in East Tennessee Baseball League action but were able to produce just two hits as the ‘Dogs fell 4-0 to the Patriots at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
“We are still definitely developing and it was good to see progress,” said Bulldogs manager Andrew Smith. “All three of our arms pitched well tonight. I can’t speak highly enough of the job they did and we are still doing mix and match.
“Sometimes we have a varsity look, sometimes JV and some split-squad to see what works and get everyone playing time.”
Hampton got singles from Johnathan Greenwell in the fifth frame and Michael Harrison in the sixth but that was it as the ‘Dogs hit a lot of ‘at em balls’ and Patriots pitching recorded 11 strikeouts.
The Patriots (3-3) struck for a pair of runs in the second innings against ‘Dogs starter Parker Henry when Ethan Waters was hit by a pitch and Cody Trinkle walked ahead of Ben Anderson who drove a double to centerfield to plate both runners.
Henry pitched three strong innings giving up two runs on two hits with four strikeouts and three walks before giving way to Josh Whitson in the fourth.
Waters greeted Whitson with a single to centerfield and Trinkle followed with an RBI double for a 3-0 Patriots advantage.
In the fifth inning, an infield error and stolen base put Dylan Bartley in scoring position and Nolan Lunsford brought him in with a single to rightfield. In all the Patriots managed just five hits, but all were clutch, and three of them brought home runs.
Whitson went two innings giving up two runs on three hits while striking out three. He did not issue a free pass. Caleb Royston pitched a scoreless sixth inning with one strikeout.
“We pitched in a little tough luck at times,” Smith said. “But as far as their stuff, they looked good so no complaints here.”
Justus Dillard pitched four shutout innings for the Patriots giving up no hits while striking out five and he walked none. Tyson Mitchell had two scoreless frames surrendering two hits and he struck out six without issuing a walk.
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Patriots 4-0
Bulldogs 000 000 0 – 0 2 3
Patriots 020 110 x – 4 5 1
W – Dillard. L – Henry.
