Bulldogs Fall to Avon in Season Opener

The Bulldogs dropped their first three games in HCC play to crosstown rival Avon by the scores of 5-4, 9-3 and 12-9.  The Bulldogs were unable to get the offense going when needed and the Orioles were able to jump on opportunities to score with runners on base.  On Friday night, the Bulldogs were down 4-1 heading into 7^th and a late spark by junior Case Starkey and a game tying single by senior Matt Copeland tied the game at 4.  But a late defensive miscue allowed the go-ahead run to score in the bottom of the 7^th.  In game two, the Bulldogs were stifled at the plate, except for a late inning HR by senior Logan Kabrich.  In game three, the Bulldogs jumped to an early 1-0 lead off of a Cameron Martin walk and a double to RF by junior Luis Escalante.  After the first, the bats went quiet and the Orioles were able to jump out to an 8-1 lead.  A 6-run 6^th inning sparked by freshmen Kerrington Cross and freshmen Parker Gryskevich pulled the Dogs within scoring distance, but a few timely hits by the Orioles extended the lead to what would be the final 12-9 score.  The Bulldogs finished off their opening week 0-4 and 0-3 in HCC and drop a point in the B & O Bell Standings. The Dogs will have another shot at the Orioles this week, with the Hendricks County tournament kicking off on Friday and the Bulldogs and Orioles matched up on Saturday (at Brownsburg) at 1pm.  The Dogs will also face Ben Davis on Monday and Cardinal Ritter on Wednesday as they look to turn things around.