Bulldogs Score a Win at Victory Field Classic

The Bulldogs won their weekend series over Zionsville in exciting fashion with two extra-inning wins that included some late-inning fireworks downtown at Victory Field.  After winning the series opener at Zionsville on Thursday night, the Bulldogs took to Victory Field to play game 2 of their HCC series in the 2015 Victory Field Classic.  The Eagles jumped out to a a 2-1 lead in the first, but senior RHP Caleb Sampen settled into a grove after a bumpy start and threw 4 scoreless innings that allowed the Dogs to take the lead 3-2 going into the top of the 6^th.  In the 6^th, the Eagles took the lead when Sampen tried to make an amazing sliding throw to end the inning but the ball got away from 1B Owen Gilbert.  The Eagles took the lead 4-3, but the Dogs were able to even the score in the bottom of the 7^th to tie the game.  In the 8^th, an errant throw on a stolen base and an error by the CF allowed the Eagles to go up 5-4, but again, the Bulldogs fought back to tie the score at 5.  After a scoreless 9^th and top half of the 10^th, senior DH Brooks Bireley ended the stalemate with a colossal solo home run to end the game!  The pitchers came up big for the Bulldogs in a game that saw a lot fo changes.  Michael Klayer ended a 7^th inning rally to keep the game close and allow the Dogs to remain in striking distance. Senior Jacson McGowan made a successful return to the mound, throwing 3 scoreless innings and sophomore Logan Kabrich collected the win after throwing a scoreless 10^th inning to give Bireley the opportunity to end the game on his HR.  At the plate, Ryan Robbins had 2 game-tying singles in the 6^th and the 8^th inning and senior Owen Gilbert clutch hits in the 6^th and 8^th that led to the tying scores. 

On Saturday, the Bulldogs tried to keep the trend of late-inning heroics going, but ultimately fell short 7-5 in the final game of the series.  The Eagles jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead after the second and then tacked on 3 more in the 4^th to take the score to 7-0.  In the 5^th, the Dogs were able to put 1 across and then looked like they were going to mount another big comeback after a bases-clearing double by Jacson McGowan brought the score to 7-5.  Unfortunately, the Eagles were able to retire the side in the top of the 7^th.  On the mound, seniors Travis Mears and Matt Rollyson both supplied 3 innings of work for the Bulldogs and kept the Dogs in it despite a few miscues in the field that led to some unearned runs for the Eagles.  At the plate, McGowan led the dogs going 3-4 with 3 RBIs.  The Bulldogs move to 11-8 on the season and are sitting in 2^nd place in the HCC at 7-5 with two series remaining.