Loss Ends Dayton’s Season

DAYTON - After struggling all season, the Dayton Bulldogs baseball team was knocked out of contention for further playoffs Tuesday by the Asotin Panthers, who beat them 10-0. The loss followed two defeats at the hands of the Liberty Christian Patriots this weekend and caps a season in which the young players learned from their adversity.

The Bulldogs logged only three hits against the Panthers from Colton Bickelhaupt, Hayden Fullerton and Guy Spalinger, but allowed 10 Asotin runs, including two home runs.

On Saturday, under brooding thunderheads and intermittent downpours, Dayton's boys of summer struggled through the miserable weather, dropping both games of the afternoon doubleheader to the Patriots. The Patriots out-pitched, out-fielded, and out-hit the beleaguered Bulldogs en route to 13-1 and 14-2 victories.

The losses ended a regular season in which the Bulldogs lost 10 games and won only two against Tri-Cities Prep at the beginning of the season. Dayton head coach Sal Benavides attributed the struggles partially to youth and partially to the unseasonably cold weather the region has experienced.

"The weather has played a lot of problems," Benavides said. "I don't think we have played outside more than twice a week all season and then we had to share a field with the (softball team)."

The first game of the day started well, as Dayton jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead against the Patriots in the first inning thanks to a solid double to right field from Lowden Smith, after which he alertly advanced to third base on a wild pitch from the Liberty Christian starter.

After Hayden Fullerton flied out to center field, Garrett Turner came to bat and knocked another strong hit to right field which easily scored Smith. It looked as though the inning might be broken wide open as Turner also advanced to scoring position after stealing second.

"This is his first year playing since tee-ball, and he's been hitting the ball really well." Benavides said.

With one on and a pitcher that was showing signs he was struggling, it looked like the inning was there for the taking as Logan Hays stepped to the plate. Despite falling behind 0-2 early, Hays battled back and ultimately had a full count. Finally, Hays connected with a solid hit to mid-field that echoed around the small ballpark-- and fell right into a LC defender's glove.

After a shaky first inning, however, the Patriots pitching staff settled into the game well, allowing only that one run for the whole game. Although the Bulldogs continued to make contact, the Patriots' sharp fielding turned many possible base hits into outs, and picked off several base runners.

The key inning came in the sixth, as a Hayden Fullerton inherited a 5-1 deficit from starter Colton Bickelhaupt. Fullerton never settled into the game and the Patriots would come to regret it. After nailing the first batter he faced in shoulder, Fullerton could not regain his confidence, and the wild pitches began.

The inning quickly turned ugly, as Fullerton walked four batters, and hit four batters-- giving up eight runs on only one hit. The shelling of sorts only ended after two hitters flied out and Dayton eagerly left the field.

The inning was consistent with the season, as coach Benavides said. Bad innings have plagued his team this year.

"We had a game like this last week, where we gave up six runs in the first inning." Benavides said. "We just can't seem to get rid of one inning."

That final inning in the first game seemed to take the wind out of the Bulldogs' collective sails, as the second game continued where the first one left off. Although game two's starter Lowden Smith did not struggle, the team as a whole could not regain its confidence. Game two was a game to forget, with LC scoring early and often.

The game was never really in doubt, and LC jumped out to a 10-2 lead by the third inning.

Benavides said the mental errors and lack of effort in the second game were consistent with what he has seen so far this season.

"We started out looking good, making progress, but lately it seems like we've been headed in the wrong direction," Benavides said. "I'm still pretty proud of them though, I have to remind myself that there are only a few upperclassmen. We're mostly freshmen and sophomores."

Dayton will get a chance to redeem itself soon however, with the district tournament starting Tuesday. The Bulldogs will play in a winor go-home series against Asotin at 4 p.m.