Bulldogs Advance in Sectional Action

The Bulldogs opened up IHSAA tournament play with a big 10-9 win over HCC and cross-town rival Avon.  This was the 5^th time the Orioles and Bulldogs have faced off this year and the series was knotted 2-2 after the Bulldogs claimed the HCC series win, but the Orioles captured a win in the county tourney.  The Dogs kicked off the offensive game with a run in the bottom of the first when senior Anthony Travelsted scored on an Owen Gilbert single down the right field line to make the score 1-0.  The Orioles were able to tie it up in the top of the second before the Dogs again took the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the 2^nd when Brooks Bireley scored on a hard hit ball by Caleb Sampen that the shortstop couldn't handle.  The Orioles responded with 3 in the top of the 3^rd to make the score 4-2, but a huge inning capped by a 3-run Jacson McGowan double put the Dogs up 6-4.  Both teams added a run in the 4^th and the the Orioles inched closer by adding 1 in the 5^th to bring the score to 7-6.  Both teams added 2 in the 6^th and took a 9-8 game into the 7^th inning.  The Orioles tied the game in the top of 7^th when a ball just tipped off the glove of a diving Travelsted, although the catch wasn't made Travelsted was able to throw out the go-ahead run at the plate to end the inning.  In the bottom of the 7^th, McGowan led off with single followed by a Sampen walk and a Travelsted infield single after he beat out a sacrifice bunt.  Owen Gilbert stepped to the plate and watched four balls pass by as the winning run scored as Gilbert advanced to first on a walk.  Caleb Sampen threw 4 2/3 innings and McGowan threw 2 1/3 to collect the win.  The Bulldogs will now face Terre Haute North in the sectional semi-finals on Saturday night.