All aboard the Ryan Express! The Bulldogs continue to ride the hot arm and smoking bat of P Ryan Dalton, who pitched a complete game shut out against the Hurricanes to run his district record to 4-0. Dalton tallied up another 8 strikeouts while allowing only 4 singles and no walks, while adding a 3-run blast to tie for the team lead in HRs at 5 with Barnes and Schweiger. With the win, Austin runs their District 23-5A record to 8-2, with both Travis and Dulles keeping pace with the front-running Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs hit the scoreboard first, and got all the runs they would need in this one with a run in the third. SS Barrett Barnes got things started with a walk and stolen base, and Dalton and 1B Drew Miller followed with back-to-back walks to load the bases. RF Tony Gigliotti knocked in Barnes with a single to make the score 1-0.

The Bulldogs would add to that lead in a big way in the bottom of the fourth. LF Blake Doerr got the ball rolling with a double off the wall in left. C Matt Hills walked, and both Doerr and Hills moved up 90 feet on a sac bunt by DH Scott Duncan. With two outs, CF Daniel Rockett’s grounder was misplayed by the shortstop, allowing Doerr to score. Dalton then launched a 3-1 pitch nearly to the softball field beyond the fence in left to run the score to 5-0.

The Bulldogs would add a pair in the sixth. Barnes got things going again, with a single and two stolen bases. Dalton drew a one-out walk, and Miller knocked in Barnes with a single to right. Gigliotti loaded the bases with a walk, and 3B Erik Schweiger plated Dalton with a sac fly to deep right, closing out the scoring at 7-0.

The Hurricanes only managed 7 base runners all evening, with only one runner reaching third and two others reaching second. Dalton was in control the whole evening, having 1-2-3 innings in the third, fourth, and seventh.

Next up for the Bulldogs – At home Thursday night against Willowridge.

Bulldog Offensive Highlights:

· 8 hits for the Bulldogs, 2 for extra bases: Double and two singles for LF Blake Doerr; two singles for SS Barrett Barnes; HR for P Ryan Dalton; and a single each for 1B Drew Miller and RF Tony Gigliotti.

· 7 RBIs on the game: 3 for Dalton; 1 each for Rockett, Miller, Gigliotti, and Schweiger.

· 5 stolen bases for SS Barrett Barnes – 3 of second & 2 of third.

Bulldog Pitching Highlights:

· Ryan Dalton (6-0, 4-0), complete game shut-out, 7 innings, 8 K’s, 0 BB, 4 hits, 0 runs

· Fourth shut-out in district for the Bulldogs; second complete-game shut-out for Dalton.

Bulldog Defensive Highlights:

· 1-3-6 pick-off caught stealing for the first out in the second, Dalton to Miller to Barnes.

· 3-1 putout on a bang-bang play at first, Miller to Dalton covering, for the first out in the fourth.

· RF Gigliotti made a great catch on a smoking line drive, for the second out in the fourth.

· With the lead-off man aboard in the sixth, Dalton strikes out the side.

· 2-4 caught stealing for the second out in the seventh, C Hills throwing to the bag with 2B Mulcahey making a sliding catch & tag.

Winning Pitcher: Ryan Dalton (6-0, 4-0)

Losing Pitcher: Ryan Platek

Extra Base Hits, FBA: HR – Dalton; 2B – Doerr

Score by inning:

Submitted by: Tom Miller