After losing three straight games to open the season, the Dove Creek High School baseball team entered last weekend’s play desperate for a win.
As a result of that desperation, the Bulldogs played with urgency, winning two of their three games while heading their season in the right direction.
Bulldogs fall to Piedra Vista
Opening the Piedra Vista Tournament against Piedra Vista High School’s C Team on March 20, the Bulldogs had their hands full, losing 18-2 to their New Mexico opponents.
Struggling on the mound for the Bulldogs, starting pitcher Tyson Smith yielded seven runs on eight hits to take the loss.
Partially making up for his rough pitching performance however, Smith recorded three hits in three at bats and drove in both Dove Creek runs.
“(Piedra Vista) was pretty fundamentally sound,” said Bulldogs’ manager Curtis Garver following his team’s loss.
Bulldogs win versus Navajo Prep
Clearly bothered by their big loss to Piedra Vista, the Bulldogs played with purpose on March 21, winning 4-3 in a thriller versus Navajo Prep.
Stymied throughout the early portions of the game, Dove Creek came to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning trialing 3-1.
The Bulldogs’ offense slowly woke up however, scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth before plating two runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory.
Keying the Bulldogs’ big seventh inning was catcher Alex Ogas, whose line drive to center scored Jordan Ernst and Nick Jones to give the Bulldogs the victory.
Leading the Bulldogs on the mound were Colin Hobbs and Kyle Schultz, who, using a variety of pitches, kept the Bulldogs close.
“We’re looking for those type of wins,” said Garver his team’s victory. “Those games help you more than blowouts do.”
Bulldogs beat Farmington in thriller
Playing their final game of the week against Farmington High School’s C team on March 22, the Bulldogs won again, coming from behind to record a 9-8 victory.
Things certainly did not start well for the Bulldogs as starting pitcher Tyson Smith game up seven runs during the second inning, which ended with Dove Creek trailing 7-1.
Smith managed to settle down however, and after the Bulldogs scored four runs in the fourth inning, a run in the fifth inning and a run in the sixth inning, the stage was set for a thrilling victory.
After walking Nick Jones to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Piedra Vista pitcher was called for a balk, thus allowing Dove Creek to score the winning run.
With the come from behind victory, the Bulldogs improved to 2-4 on the season. Dove Creek will next play in Cortez against Pagosa Springs on April 1.