DECATUR -- The Decatur varsity baseball team had plenty of reasons to celebrate recently as it won three straight games, improving its overall record to 3-2-1. First up was the April 9 doubleheader with the Deer Antlers at Edmiston Park in Decatur.
The Antlers scored the first run of the contest in the top of the first inning to lead briefly, 1-0. This would be the only run the Antlers were able to score. The Bulldogs took control of the game, bringing seven across home plate in the bottom of the first, six runs in the second, one run in the third and five in the fourth to take a commanding lead over Deer. The Antlers were unable to score in the top of the fifth, giving the Decatur Bulldogs a 19-1 win and the conference victory.
On the mound for Decatur was Kevin Garcia, who pitched four complete innings, striking out seven and walking seven. Adam Garcia relieved Kevin in the fifth inning, striking out two.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Deer Antlers decided to forfeit the contest, giving Decatur the second conference victory.
Decatur: 36-PA, 24-AB, 19-R, 13-H, 11-RBI, 7-SO, 7-BB.
Decatur 18
Jasper 16
The third game of the week proved to be a much tougher win for Decatur when they traveled south of Harrison to take on the Jasper Pirates at Jasper High School April 12.
The Bulldogs managed to hold the Pirates scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to take a two-run victory.
The Bulldogs established a 6-2 lead going into the top of the third inning. Six runs by the Pirates in the third and fourth innings gave Jasper a 9-6 margin. The Bulldogs made a run on the lead in the fifth. But Jasper answered in the bottom of that inning to widen the gap to 14-9 going into the top of the sixth.
The game went down to the final inning with Jasper leading 16-11. Seven runs in the top of the seventh gave the Bulldogs a 18-16 lead. Decatur was able to hold Jasper scoreless in the bottom of the inning, giving the Bulldogs the conference win.
Four pitchers took the mound for the Bulldogs. Adam Garcia started for Decatur, completing two innings, throwing 55 pitches, striking out one and walking two. In the third inning, Garcia was replaced by Zac Luker who completed only one inning, pitching 27 times and giving up three walks.
Bryan Ward took the mound for one inning, throwing five times. He was replaced by Kevin Garcia who completed three innings, throwing 72 pitches, striking out five and walking four.
Decatur: 43-PA, 32-AB, 18-R, 22-H, 12-RBI, 9-BB, 6-SO, 7-IP, 159-#P.
Sports on 04/18/2018