Dogs Bite LC, Face WP In Playoffs

RICHLAND - The Dayton Bulldogs blew the Liberty Christian Patriots out of the water, 8-0, on Tuesday night in district playoffs thanks to pitcher Lowden Smith.

"Lowden pitched a heck of a game," said Dayton head coach Sal Benavides.

Tuesday's success means the Bulldogs will meet rival WP in Walla Walla at Borleske Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. The winner from Saturday's game will play in regionals on May 19 in Mossyrock.

On Tuesday in Richland, Smith gave up only two hits, one walk and threw eight strikeouts. Plus, Smith was an asset at the plate with a single, double and triple to boost his confidence, Benavides said.

"The whole team hit really well," he said. Everything was really clicking today."

Hayden Fullerton and Garett Turner were also big hitters of the day for the Dogs. Fullerton was also the catcher on Tuesday.

Last Saturday's doubleheader against Liberty Christian, again in Richland, wasn't as successful.

The Bulldogs showed what they are made of in the first game against the Patriots on Saturday, winning it, 6-1. After two walks, Smith allowed one run but limited the damage by striking out the next batter and retiring the other side.

Dayton did not convert in the top of the second inning, but the defense stepped it up with two first-base outs and another Lowden strike out to keep the Patriots' inning short and sweet for the Dogs.

Then Dayton came out swinging.

Colton Bickelhaupt scored a first-base hit on a Patriot catching error and Joey Yenney followed that with a hard-line drive that propelled Bickelhaupt to third. Smith came in with a ground ball that brought Bickelhaupt home. Another ground ball, this time from Garett

Turner, reloaded the bases and Wyatt Frame pounded one deep into the outfield to bring in Smith and Yenney for two more runs.

The Bulldogs were just warming up. Fullerton's wellexecuted bunt cleared the way for Turner to score and still reach the safety of the first base. Isaiah Lambert stepped up with runners on first and third.

A dead ball moved him to first, loading the bases again with only one out. A home run theft attempt put an end to further scoring but Dayton was up, 4-1.

In subsequent innings, the Dayton defense was at its best with a double play in the bottom of the fifth and few catching errors.

The Dogs resumed their scoring drive in the top of the sixth with Johnnie Sanchez and Bickelhaupt each scoring a single and Bickelhaupt stealing second base to set Smith up for two RBIs, aided by another Patriot catching error. The score would remain a dominant, 6-1, for the Bulldogs.

Dayton tried to get the upper hand in the second game, but the Patriots proved to be the better batters, outscoring the Bulldogs 15-5.

"We weren't ready," Benavides said about the loss of the second game that day. "We weren't mentally prepared for the second game."

Benavides said after the lunch break between games, the Dogs just couldn't keep their heads in the game.

But, hopefully that's a lesson learned as the Dogs prepare for the next couple of days to go up against the WP Tigers.

Benavides said his team will keep working on infield skills. With some infield practice and Smith's powerful pitching arm, Benavides believes his Dogs will unstoppable.

"It's hard to beat a team like that," he said with a laugh. "The kids are looking forward to it."