Marianna Bulldogs take 3 wins at home

By SHELIA MADER
Floridan Correspondent
Published: June 10, 2008

The Marianna Bulldogs baseball team racked up three more wins Thursday before a large home crowd at Bulldog Field.

In game one, Team One picked up a 4-3 win over Liberty County before that same team handed Liberty County an 8-2 loss. In the nightcap, it was Team Two defeating Wewa 6-4.

Dustin Miller took the mound for the Bulldogs in game one, going two innings before being relieved by Dustin Larkin to complete the five-inning game. Miller gave up one unearned run on three hits and had two errors committed behind him. Larkin gave up two runs, one earned on two hits, one hit batter and one error.

Liberty County struck first, picking up one run in the top of the first inning. The Bulldogs threatened in the bottom of the inning when Colby Johnson led off with a single, stole second and third. A fly out to centerfield followed with Adam Bigale taking one for the team to put runners on the corners. Two strikeouts ended the inning with both runners left on base.

Liberty County was kept off the boards in the top of the second inning, as was Marianna. A lead off single by Miller was the only runner of the inning for the Bulldogs.

Liberty County remained scoreless through the next two innings. Marianna was three up and three down in the third inning before plating four runs in the fourth. Adam Bigale was hit for the second time to put the lead off runner on first. Troy Clemmons hit into a misplayed fielder’s choice allowing Bigale to take second and Clemmons on first. Following a strikeout, Miller singled home Bigale. Alex Bigale singled to put runners on the corners for Dylan Halstead’s two RBI single. Alex Bigale was out trying to take home on the play. Tyler Searcy reached on an error at first that scored Halstead before a strikeout ended the inning.

Liberty County rallied for two runs in the fifth but fell short of enough runs to force the Bulldogs into another inning.

In game two, it was Alex Bigale on the mound for the Dogs. Bigale went four innings, gave up two runs on four hits and two errors. Patrick Hill came on for the final inning, giving up one run no one hit and one error.

Liberty County picked up one run in the top of the inning before the Bulldogs answered with five first-inning runs. Dustin Miller led off with a single and moved to second when Colby Johnson was issued a walk. A fielder’s choice by Pat Hill loaded the bases with no outs. Troy Clemmons picked up two RBI’s when he doubled up the middle. A balk scored Hill and put Clemmons on third. Alex Bigale singled to score Clemmons. Brandon Hendrix singled to put runners on the corners but an error at first scored Alex Bigale. With two quick outs, a walk to Zack Gilmore drew a walk but a strikeout ended the inning.

Liberty County was held scoreless through the next two innings. Marianna added two runs in the second to make it a 7-1 game. Paul Gochenaur took advantage of an error at third to reach first safely and stole second and third on passed balls. With one out, Miller singled home Gochenaur and stole second. Johnson drew his second walk of the game and Hill singled to score Miller. Troy Clemmons reached safely on a fielder’s choice but two flyouts ended the inning with the bases loaded.

Marianna’s only base runner in the third inning was Blaire Sherrill who was hit by a pitch to get things started Liberty County retired the side on strikeouts to end the inning.

Liberty County picked up one run in the fourth and one in the fifth. Marianna added their final run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Curt Stephens led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Dustin Larkin. Adam Bigale drew a walk with two outs but Dylan Halstead hit into a fielder’s choice that got Bigale at second to end the inning and the game.

In the final game, Head Coach Andy Shelton utilized a roster of players, giving everyone playing time with as many as 22 players taking the field and their spot at the plate. Jae Elliott started on the mound for the Bulldogs before giving way to Shayne Blanton for two innings, Kaidd Golden for an inning and a third with Brian Wiggins closing out the game for the final inning and two thirds. Blanton gave up two runs on two hits, two walks and one error. Golden gave up two runs on one hit and two errors. Wiggins retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning.

The Bulldogs were scheduled to travel to Sneads Monday night in Sneads. Results of that game were not available at press time.