A fantastic season for the FB Austin Bulldogs came to an end Tuesday night, with a second-round playoff loss to the District 21-5A champion Channelview Falcons, 5-4 at Pearland High. Channelview Starting Pitcher Lance Wheeler went the distance, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits, while logging 10 strikeouts. Austin’s solid pitching duo of Ryan Dalton and A.J. Glasshof kept the Bulldogs in the game, but two unearned runs provided the margin of victory for the Falcons.

The Falcons drew first blood in the top of the first, with a solo home run by SS Larry Rodriguez. The Falcons would add to that lead in the third, on a lead-off double, a bunt single, and a sacrifice fly to make the score 2-0.

The Bulldogs came roaring back with a 4-run rally in the fourth. SS Barrett Barnes worked a full-count lead-off walk, and promptly stole second. P Ryan Dalton followed with a two-strike flare up the right field line to move Barnes to third. On a steal by pinch runner Eric Hughes, the ball got by the catcher to allow Barnes to score; Hughes alertly took third on the play. With one out, 1B Drew Miller lined a single to left center to score Hughes and tie the game at 2. DH Erik Schweiger followed with a two-run blast to left to give the Bulldogs the lead 4-2 after four.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Falcons tied it up in the top of the fifth, courtesy of three singles, an infield error, and a sacrifice fly. The Falcons then added the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth off of Bulldog Reliever A.J. Glasshof, on an infield error and two singles, the last one being Rodriguez’ third hit and third RBI of the night. That would be the difference in the game, as the Bulldogs only managed one more base runner after the fourth, when RF Tony Gigliotti, representing the tying run, reached on a two-out error in the bottom of the seventh.

And so, the 2009 season comes to an end for the Bulldogs: 21-9-1 overall, a share of the District 23-5A crown, and a first round playoff victory. Congratulations to our Senior Bulldogs as they head off to college, and good luck to our returning freshman, sophomore, and junior Bulldogs next season!

Bulldog Offensive Highlights:

· 5 hits for the Bulldogs, 1 for extra bases: HR and a single for DH Erik Schweiger; two singles for P/3B Ryan Dalton; and a single for 1B Drew Miller.

· 3 RBIs on the game: 2 for Schweiger, 1 for Miller.

Bulldog Pitching Highlights:

· Ryan Dalton, 4.2 innings, 4 K’s 2 BB’s, 7 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned runs.

· A.J. Glasshof, 2.1 innings, 1 K, 1 BB, 2 hits, 1 unearned run.

Bulldog Defensive Highlights:

Every out’s a big out in the playoffs – here’s the complete rundown:

· Fly ball catch by RF Gigliotti for the first out in the first.

· Line drive catch by CF Rockett for the second out in the first.

· 6-3 groundout for the third out in the first, SS Barnes to 1B Miller.

· Strikeout by P Dalton for the first out in the second.

· Fly ball catch by LF Doerr for the second out in the second.

· Fly ball catch by RF Gigliotti for the third out in the second.

· Fly ball catch by CF Rockett for the first out in the third.

· Fly ball catch by RF Gigliotti for the second out in the third.

· Fly ball catch by CF Rockett for the third out in the third.

· Strikeout by P Dalton for the first out in the fourth.

· Line drive catch in the left-center gap by CF Rockett for the second out in the fourth.

· Strikeout by P Dalton for the third out in the fourth.

· Strikeout by P Dalton for the first out in the fifth.

· Fly ball catch by RF Gigliotti for the second out in the fifth.

· Foul pop catch by 1B Miller for the third out in the fifth.

· Strikeout by P Glasshof for the first out in the sixth.

· Acrobatic fly ball catch by CF Rockett for the second out in the sixth.

· Caught stealing 2-5 for the third out in the sixth, C Hills to 3B Dalton.

· Caught stealing 2-6 for the first out in the seventh, C Hills to SS Barnes.

· Fly ball catch by LF Doerr for the second out in the seventh.

· Fly ball catch by CF Rockett for the third out in the seventh.

Winning Pitcher: Lance Wheeler

Losing Pitcher: A.J. Glasshof

Extra Base Hits, CHV: HR – Rodriquez; 2B - Sullender

Extra Base Hits, FBA: HR – Schweiger

Score by inning:

Submitted by: Tom Miller