ANDALUSIA DOWNS STRAUGHN: Bulldogs, Tigers clash in rivalry on the diamond

Published 12:05 am Friday, March 2, 2018

The Andalusia Bulldogs took an early lead and cruised past the Straughn Tigers for 7-1 victory on Thursday night in Straughn.

Playing in his first game of the season, Andalusia’s Ethan Wilson reached first with a walk to start the game.

Wilson quickly stole second and third base before being driven in by Hogan Nichols.

Chip Morgan got the start on the mound and struck out the Tigers in order in the bottom of the first.

Sebaskin Stallworth reached to start the second inning.

The next batter sent a ball deep to right field where Austin Smith hauled it in for the first out.

Smith then fired a rocket in to third to double up Stallworth.

Mitchell Schultz reached first after being hit by a pitch and the moved to third on a bunt single from Chandler Mitchell.

The Bulldogs battled on defense and kept the Tigers off the scoreboard.

Nichols led off the top of the fourth inning with a blistering double to left field fence.

Will Clark then lifted a fly ball to outfield that allowed Jacob Cravey to score.

A few batter later Noah Kelly put the Bulldogs up 3-0 with a single.

An error from Straughn then allowed the Bulldogs to take a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth.

Clay Ashberry reached with a single to start the bottom of the fourth inning and moved around to third.

The Bulldogs again stepped up on defense and kept the Tigers off the board.

Garrett Davis was hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the fifth inning to get things started for the Bulldogs.

Nichols then reached on an error and Clark drove in a run with a sacrifice hit.

Another error from the Tigers then gave Andalusia a 7-0 advantage.

Andalusia looked like they might get another run, but solid defense from the Tigers thwarted a would be two-out rally for the Bulldogs.

In to top of the seventh, Schultz shut down the Bulldogs in order.

Schultz then came to the plate to start the bottom of the seventh and laced a single through the left side of the infield.

However, Schultz was erased on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Mitchell.

Mitchell moved up to second and then a rip off the bat of Brady Hamrac allowed the speedy Mitchell to come across for the Tigers’ lone run of the game.

Kelly got the next better to ground out for the final out of the game to give the Bulldogs a 7-1 victory.