ANDY FIGHTS TO THE END: Bulldogs split games with Ariton, Luverne
Published 12:05 am Wednesday, March 27, 2019
- Brennan Strong was solid on the mound for the Bulldogs. Josh Dutton/Star-News
The Andalusia Bulldogs wrapped up the 2019 Butch Youmans Spring Break Tournament with a 2-1 record after splitting games on Tuesday against Ariton and Luverne.
ANDALUSIA 7,
ARITON 3
In the first game of the day, the Bulldogs held off Ariton for a 7-3 win.
Jacob Cravey singled with one out in the top of the first and then came around to score off a single from Hogan Nichols.
Andalusia gave up a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the first inning and that runner came around to tie the game.
In the top of the second inning, Ayden Amis ripped a single with one out to get things going for the Bulldogs.
A few batters later, Nichols laced a pitch that was misplayed by the Ariton third baseman that allowed Amis to score.
Ariton used a home run in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game 2-2.
Caleb Blackton started off the top of the fourth inning with a single and later came around to score to put Andalusia up 3-2.
Chip Morgan drew a one-out walk in the top of the fifth inning and moved to second on a single from Garrett Davis.
Andalusia loaded the bases when J.W. Jones drew a walk.
Starting pitcher Brennan Strong followed with a two-run double that put Andalusia up 5-2.
Jones then scored on a wild pitch to give the Bulldogs a 6-2 lead.
Andalusia added to their lead in the top of the sixth inning when Cravey drove in Gill Morgan with a single.
Ariton added one run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Bulldogs were able to hold on for a 7-3 victory.
LUVERNE 5,
ANDALUSIA 1
In Andalusia’s final game of the day, Luverne used a big first inning to knock off the Bulldogs 5-1.
Luverne opened up the game strong as they pushed across four runs in the opening frame.
Andalusia’s lone run came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cravey drove in G. Morgan with a single.
That was all the Bulldogs were able to produce in the final game as they fell 5-1.
“I was very pleased with the first game,” Andalusia head coach Tyler Dent said. “I was telling them. We probably had some of the best at bats that we have had all year throughout the course of that game. Brennan (Strong) threw great. You can’t say enough about him and what he has done on the mound for us this year. He has been our guy for sure. Then we turned around and didn’t play very well. We have to play a double header in the first round of playoffs and every Friday of the playoffs. If we can’t play a double header, then we are going to be in trouble. That’s very disappointing. Now, we’ve got five days off, get away from each other for a little while, and maybe we will come in next Monday ready to get back to work.”