Bulldogs Beat Alumni 7-6

DAYTON --The Dayton softball team held its second annual alumni game Saturday, with the varsity softball team facing off against their "bitter" rivals, the alumni from years past. The day included not only an actual league game, but a barbecue and a second slow- pitch game for some of the older players and spectators in attendance.

It was also senior day for the Bulldogs, with Kayla Turner, Rowene Huwe, Claire Lyman and Taylor DeRuwe being recognized prior to the game.

Although the game counted for the Bulldogs' record, Dayton assistant coach Desirae Jones said that the game was really more of a tune up game for the district tournament the girls will be playing Friday.

"We go into this game as it's going to be a fun game," Jones said. "Every girl that was on the high school team that was there gets to bat, every girl gets to play."

"There were a lot of kids trying out new positions, it wasn't a straight nine starters who played the whole game. Every inning, girls were changing positions and moving around." Jones said.

Neither team established a presence early in the game, with the alumni and high school players matching run for run through the first two innings, to carry a 2-2 tie into the third, when varsity started to pull ahead.

The bases were loaded for Dayton when what looked like it might have been a simple single for the returning players turned into a mess, as the alumni struggled to get their throws on target to stop the fleet-footed varsity team. When the dust settled after the hectic play, even the umpires were confused. In the end, it was ruled that two runs had been scored and one base runner had been tagged, ending the inning.

Dayton continued the onslaught in the bottom of the fourth, leading off with two straight doubles to put the DHS girls up 5-3. The alumni were not done however, and after sloppy play from the varsity girls, DHS only held on to a one run lead going into the final inning..

The stage was set for a dramatic come back in the seventh, as the alumni had managed to load the bases again on some solid hitting. It was not to be though, as an alumnus tried to steal home after a wild pitch and was tagged out at the home plate, ending the game at 7-6.

After the game ended the softball team put on a barbecue, however the rain that had been threatening all morning finally came and drove the spectators and players under cover.

"Last year it was nice, we all got to mill around after the game," coach Jones said. "This year, the rain kept us separated and hiding in the dugouts a little more. But it all worked out, it was nice to see a lot of the girls."

Although most people were able to find some shelter against sudden downpour, it was not possible to cover most of the food and the grill.

"Our food got a little soggy, but it all ended up working out OK." Jones said.

Luckily the rain ended as suddenly as it began, and the day went ahead as planned.

The win placed Dayton at 15-3 for the year, with the Bulldogs going 10-2 in league and tying for the league championship. The Bulldogs face their co-champions Waitsburg-Prescott Friday in Pasco in a district tournament game at 4 p.m.