Bulldogs win area title

Published 12:04 am Saturday, April 12, 2014

0412 spt-Todd Wright

Andalusia’s Todd Wright reaches to try and catch the ball on a throw to first base Friday night. | Andrew Garner/Star-News

Andalusia swept Wilcox Central in an area doubleheader Friday night to win the Class 4A, Area 2 Championship at Bulldogs Stadium.

Building a healthy lead early was key in both games as AHS beat the Jags 16-0 and 18-0 for the shutout.

There wasn’t much to say on the part of Bulldogs coach Tyler Dent because his players did what they had to do.

“We hit the ball well, played good defense and pitched well,” Dent said. “I’m proud of the kids, proud of the program for winning the area championship. We’ll see what we can do in the playoffs.”

With this victory, Andalusia improves to 17-9 overall, and will host the first round of the state playoffs. The Bulldogs will host Clarke County in the best of three series. Two games will be played on Friday with a third if-necessary game on Saturday in case there is a split.

AHS led 14-0 after the third inning in game one, and went on to score 14 runs in the second inning of game two.

Bulldogs senior Jud Rogers went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, three singles and a double; senior Brandon Smith went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI; Hunter Earnest went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI; Todd Wright went 2-for-3 with three RBIs; Brayden Burkhardt went 2-for-4 with an RBI; Riley Graham went 2-for-4 with an RBI; senior Daniel Henderson went 1-for-3 with two RBIs; senior Grayson Campbell went 1-for-2 with an RBI; and senior Ross Graham went 1-for-3 with an RBI in game one.

In game two, Henderson went 3-for-3; Smith went 2-for-3; Campbell went 2-for-3; Riley Graham went 2-for-3; and Burkhardt, Peyton Maddox, Will Harrison and Ross Graham had one hit hit.

Ross Graham picked up the win in game two going three innings and allowing only two hits.

Henderson struck out five and allowed no runs on one hit in three innings for the win in the first game. Rogers came in during the fourth and struck out three. Campbell cleaned things up while striking out one in the fifth.

Andalusia is back in action on Monday as the Bulldogs host Red Level for a single game. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.