After three consecutive losses, the Dove Creek High School baseball team got back to its winning ways with an 8-6 victory over Ignacio on April 24. With the victory, the Bulldogs improved their record to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in the San Juan Basin League.
Among the top performers at the plate for Dove Creek was senior Derek Kibel, who registered a hit, an RBI and two scored runs. Hayden Gray also enjoyed a solid day hitting the ball as the freshman smashed a double and drove in a run.
Freshmen Branson Smith and Gage Bailey also had one hit and one RBI for the Bulldogs, who pulled ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. After Ignacio scored two runs in the top of the third inning to take a one-run lead, Dove Creek returned the favor with two runs in the bottom of the third inning and carried a 3-2 lead into the fourth frame.
The Bulldogs then scored five runs over the final three innings and secured the victory, thanks to Gray, who took the mound in relief and pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings. Derek Kibel started on the mound for the Dove Creek and was credited with the win after allowing two runs over five and one-third innings.
Dove Creek’s eight wins this season represents a marked improvement over last season, when the Bulldogs failed to win a game and finished the season with a 0-19 overall record.
Next up for the Bulldogs will be a road matchup against Monticello, which will take place on April 26 after The Journal’s press deadline. A recap of the contest will be available at The-Journal.com and in The Journal’s print edition on May 1.