Bulldogs Advance to Sectional Semi-Final

The Bulldogs beat Martinsville 8-4 in the opening round of the sectional tournament last night.   The Bulldogs jumped on the board early scoring 3 runs in the top of the first.  Senior CF Tyler Houston led off the game with a single, senior OF Tyler Westrich reached base on a fielder's choice that was followed by a double to right by junior 3B Jacson McGowan and a walk from senior DH Cody Gill to load the bases.  Junior SS Caleb Sampen ignited the scoring with a 2-run single and junior C Brooks Bireley finished the inning off by scoring Gill.  Junior RHP Travis Mears started the game for the Dogs and allowed 1 run in the first but shut the Artesians down in the 2^nd to keep the Dogs up 3-1.  In the 3^rd the Artesians struck again after an error in the outfield allowed 2 runs to score and for the game to get tied up.  In the bottom of the 4^th Martinsville was able to score again to bring the score to 4-3 before junior LHP Triston Polley entered the game to shut down the Artesians offense.  In the top of the 5^th, Houston reached on a HBP and was able to score on a McGowan single to right to tie the game.  Then, in the 6^th inning, the Dogs benefited from a few walks from the Artesian's pitchers and some timely hits.  Sampen drove home 2 more runs scoring junior 2B Brad Guilinger and junior RF Ryan Robbins after they had reached on walks and McGowan and Westrich were able to score on walks by the Artesian's relief pitcher.  Polley retired the side in the sixth and junior RHP Michael Klayer was able to throw a scoreless 7^th to earn a victory for the Dogs.  Polley collects the win (6-4 on the season) and Klayer earned the save (his 6^th of the season).  The Bulldogs will face Plainfield on Saturday night at approximately 8pm at Terre Haute South HS for round 2.